Navigating AI Influence: Consumer Caution Ahead
In the modern digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful force influencing consumer decisions. AI algorithms leverage vast data to grasp consumer behaviour and preferences, fuelling personalized recommendations and targeted advertising.
In the realm of online shopping and entertainment, AI serves as a helpful companion, recommending products and movies tailored to our preferences based on our prior browsing and viewing history. It also ensures seamless customer support with chatbots and virtual assistants, providing round-the-clock assistance for queries and issues. Moreover, AI empowers businesses in optimizing pricing strategies and enhancing security measures by detecting potential fraud, ensuring a secure transaction experience.
While AI brings advantages, it also presents potential challenges that consumers and businesses must address cautiously.
- Guard Personal Data: Avoid providing excessive personal information to AI platforms and applications to shield it from potential data breaches or unauthorized usage.
- Be Wary of Algorithmic Biases: Be cognizant of potential biases ingrained in AI systems, and question the recommendations or decisions made by AI algorithms if they appear to perpetuate prejudice or stereotypes.
- Stay Independent and Discerning: Uphold independence and critical thinking when making choices influenced by AI suggestions.
- Be Aware of Privacy Policies: Check the privacy policies of platforms and apps that use AI to make sure they manage your personal information responsibly and follow privacy laws.
- Verify AI-Generated Information and Recommendations:Don’t rely solely on AI algorithms for important decisions. Cross-check information and recommendations with other sources and consider different perspectives.
In summary, while artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve consumer experiences and decision-making processes, it should be approached with caution by both buyers and businesses.
Rinki Sharma
All Guest Articles
From Bean to Bliss: How to Find Your Ideal Coffee Match
Coffee, the world's most popular beverage, is enjoyed for its rich flavour and invigorating energy boost. But beyond the satisfying cup lies a journey from bean to brew. As a discerning coffee drinker, understanding how to select the right beans at the market,...
Beat the Heat: Consumer Safety During Summer Heatwaves
Heatwaves are a common feature during the summer months in India, with temperatures in the range of 45-47°C (113-117°F). Northwestern India is subject to the most intense heat, and heatwaves are possible in any part of the country. The extreme temperatures and...
Unmasking Air Pollution’s Impact on Pulmonary Health
Over the past few decades, air pollution and climate change have become major global concerns. Air pollution has many detrimental effects that pose a threat to global public health in terms of significant disease burden as well as mortality. It is disturbing that...
Cracking Cheese Codes: Healthy Choices, Labels, and Storage Tips
Cheese is a creamy, tangy, versatile delight that can elevate any dish and melt our hearts and taste buds in seconds. However, it is often thought to have negative effects on our health. With a little mindfulness, you can make healthier choices when it comes to this...
Navigating Consumer Challenges in India: Implementing Effective Measures
In the diverse and vibrant landscape of India, consumer-related issues have emerged as a critical facet of daily life. As the nation progresses economically and the consumer market expands, individuals face a range of challenges that demand attention and proactive...
Navigating the Web: A Consumer’s defence Against Dark Patterns
Consumers are finding themselves in a wide online landscape in an era of digital convenience. Although there are many advantages of the internet, it is important to stay vigilant against such practices commonly referred to as dark patterns. These subtle design choices...
Portion Smart: Eating Foods, the Right Way
Imagine a bag of chips. The label might list a serving size as 28 grams, but let's be honest, who stops at just that? That's where portion size comes in. It's the amount of food you choose to eat, which can be more or less than a serving size. Think of a serving size...
A continuous surge in antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the 21st-century global public health problem. AMR occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites stop responding to antimicrobial medicines. Because of the high rate of antibiotic overuse that leads to...
NutriBars Decoded: Making Informed Choices
As I navigated the bustling supermarket aisles, my attention was drawn to the vibrant array of NutriBars lining the shelves. Each bar boasted enticing claims, from "high protein" to "low sugar”, but the sheer variety and conflicting messages left me feeling...
Empowering Consumers: Navigating the Digital Age and Celebrating Consumer Rights on National Consumer Day
National Consumer Day is observed annually on December 24th in India, marking the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. It emphasizes awareness of consumer rights, responsibilities, and the significance of protection. The Act was a pivotal step in...
Food Contact Materials and Your Health: Tips for a Safer Approach
Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a strong advisory urging both consumers and food vendors to refrain from using newspapers in any capacity related to packing, serving, or storing food items. The FSSAI emphasized the potential...
Unlocking Minds: Understanding the core of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, primarily affects memory and cognitive function. It is the most common cause of dementia, gradually impairing daily life. Research aims to understand its complex pathology and develop effective treatments...
World Diabetes Day 14 th Nov, 2023 – Access to Diabetes Care
Authors: - Dr. Pankaj Bhardwaj (Dr Pankaj Bhardwaj, Academic Head, School of Public Health (SPH), Professor of Community Medicine & Family Medicine All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur and Dr. Madhukar Mittal (Additional Professor and Head,...
Revitalizing Millet Consumption: Shifting Focus from ‘Big Food’ to Government Schemes and Local Outlets
Shifting away from dependence on the 'Big Food' industry to boost millet production and consumption, policies should emphasize integrating millets into government food schemes. Highlighting the limitations of Production Linked Incentives in realizing millets'...
The Emerging Crisis of Antibiotic Resistance
One of the greatest medical discoveries of the 20th century, antibiotics have saved countless lives by efficiently treating bacterial infections around the globe. However, the overuse and abuse of antibiotics have given rise to a formidable adversary, antibiotic...
The Significance of IRR in Investment
Shri Sharad Ranjan and Shri Hariti Tyagi The BackstoryThe relationship manager of a well-established bank reached out to my daughter, who is in the beginning of her twenties, and proposed an investment plan. The investment plan, according to him, is the best...
Sabudana Unveiled: The Tapioca Tale and Beyond
Sabudana holds a special place in the hearts and traditions of millions. These small, translucent globules have become synonymous with fasting seasons in India, particularly during religious festivals like Navratri, Shivaratri, Ekadashi, and Saawan season. During...
Recurrent pregnancy loss
With an increasing number of affected couples, recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has become a widespread reproductive health problem. Clinically, it is defined as the loss of three or more pregnancies before the foetus reaches viability. It affects approximately 3...
From Grain to Gain: Mastering the Art of Aata Selection
Are you aware of what goes into that essential ingredient that forms the foundation of countless Indian meals? Yes, we're talking about aata, the versatile flour that brings us the beloved rotis, chapatis, and parathas. But have you ever stopped to consider the...
Are freebies good for economic health and can they empower the poor?
Does India need freebies from the government to survive? What is now popularly called the ‘freebie politics’ has its own economic implications. As the proverb goes there are no free lunches, freebies in the form of free units of power can be detrimental for the...
DNA Fingerprinting: A key to know your ancestry
A new field of study was opened in 1984 when Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys generated the first genetic fingerprint in his lab at the University of Leicester. Talking about his discovery, Sir Alec said, "My life changed on Monday morning at 9.05 am, 10 September 1984....
Decoding the Secrets of Buying the Best Saffron
Did you know that saffron is one of the most expensive spices of the world? It is used in a variety of dishes in India. Its application extends to traditional medicine and cosmetics as well. Also, saffron is an important part of many religious ceremonies in India,...
Rise and decline of the Consumer Movement in India
The consumer movement is an organised social movement that promotes consumer protection and is often led by consumer organisations. It argues for consumer rights, particularly when those rights are actively violated by the activities of corporations, governments, and...
वॉयस की 40वीं सालगिरह
उपभोक्ता शिक्षा और जागरूकता में 40 वर्षों से काम कर रही है कंस्यूमर वॉयस कंस्यूमर वॉयस लगातार 40 वर्षों से उपभोक्ता शिक्षा और जागरूकता के क्षेत्र में संघर्षरत एक स्वयंसेवी संस्था है। वॉयस लगातार भारत में उपभोक्ताओं के लिए उनके उपभोक्ता अधिकारों के संघर्ष कर रही है।...
40 years of VOICE – The Beginning
There is no particular date on which we launched VOICE in April 1983 at the Delhi School of Economics campus at Delhi University. There was no launch ceremony or event. It was born out of the drafting of a complaint by VOICE signed by me and about 30 of my students....