Chinese ‘Virtual Human’ Salespeople Are Outperforming Their Real Human Counterparts

A new phenomenon of "virtual human" salespeople is emerging in China, outperforming their real human counterparts. These AI-powered avatars, created by tech giants Baidu and DeepSeek, are capable of engaging in livestream sales around the clock, selling a wide range of products from wet wipes to printers. The virtual salespeople are able to provide a personalized shopping experience, responding to customer queries and recommendations with lifelike expressions and gestures. This constant availability and tailored approach have contributed to their impressive sales performance, often exceeding that of traditional human sales representatives. The rise of these virtual assistants highlights the growing influence of AI-driven technologies in the retail sector, as businesses seek to enhance customer engagement and optimize sales. While the long-term implications of this trend remain to be seen, it underscores the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and its potential to transform various industries.