AI is helping with your online holiday shopping, whether you like it or not [Video]

The holiday shopping season has started fast, especially online, and those automated chatbots are working overtime.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly finding its way into decisions that once were purely human, like whether or not to buy a sweater. This year, more than ever, smart computer programs are stepping between customers and their shopping.

These programs make recommendations based on purchase history, browsing behavior and demographics. They also sharpen the results from online product searches, adjust prices based on competitive factors, and improve product placement or promotions. AI-powered customer service can answer questions and take orders. AI can even enable apparel shoppers to virtually “try on” clothes to see if they’ll fit.

This integration of AI with routine tasks of our everyday lives isn’t new, but its ubiquity is growing. Voice-operated digital assistants like Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant remind us of appointments, tell us if it’s cold outside …