AI, Aprons & Attitude: Why Retail Still Needs Us
"Is AI going to replace humans?"
Whew. That question is always lurking in the back of the room like that one co-worker who never says anything in meetings but always sends the follow-up email that starts with “per my last message...”
Let’s talk about it, honestly, practically, and with a little Vivid-style realness. I recently attended the CXO Insights Conference, and let me tell you, the room was stacked with Supermicro, NVIDIA, Walmart, eBay, and T-Mobile.
Powerhouses. Innovators. And a whole lot of acronyms.
While there, I had a great chat with a young man who was hungry, curious, and a little nervous about what AI means for the future of work. And I get it. The fear is real, but so is the opportunity.
One of the speakers said something that stuck with me: "AI is only as good as the human inputting the information."
Let’s unpack that.
Yes, AI will shift the way we work. Yes, some jobs will go away. But new roles, new industries, and new ways of working will emerge in their place. And guess what? AI still needs us, our judgment, creativity, common sense, and spicy problem-solving skills.
Take retail, my old stomping grounds. Gen Z is making brick-and-mortar shopping cool again. (Did I just say that? Yes. Yes, I did.) They’re treating the mall like it’s 1996 and they’ve got a date at the food court. But even in a digital world, humans still crave connection: Someone to say, “Girl, that color is you.” Someone to help find the right size, the right vibe, or the right price. And behind the scenes, someone who knows that when AI suggests XYZ and the system’s frozen like it saw its ex walk in, only a skilled human can pull out the magic combo of A+D+E to fix it.
Retail doesn’t just run on algorithms, it runs on attitude, intuition, and human connection. And that? AI can't replicate.
I always say, people still buy from people, regardless of all the recommendations AI can provide. And let’s not forget our Gen Z workforce. They’re not here for three-hour processes or “because we’ve always done it that way” logic. They want streamlined systems, real-time data, and intuitive solutions. AI gives your team the tools to shine, not just survive.
So no, AI isn’t the end of humanity.
But it is the end of lazy systems, tired excuses, and “this is how we’ve always done it” culture. Let’s not fear it, let’s lead it. Retailers, the future is now. Equip your teams. Empower your people.
Make AI work for you, not around you.
With love, grit, and gratitude,
Vividly Vivian