Soul in the Algorithm: Humanizing Online Shopping’s Future

If you’ve shopped online lately, you’ve probably noticed something odd. Every site claims to “know” you, but what they really know is your past: the shirts you clicked, the shoes you returned, the brands you bought on a whim at midnight. Instead of sparking new ideas, these platforms just hold up a mirror to yesterday’s choices. It’s no wonder that, according to a 2025 Forrester study, nearly 80% of shoppers feel “boxed in” by recommendation engines that only show them what they already own or have browsed.
Jaron Lanier, the VR pioneer, put it bluntly:
“You can’t see possibilities if the algorithm only shows you what you already know.”

Why It Matters: The Loss of Aspiration

Remember when shopping was about discovery? Maybe you stumbled on a jacket that made you feel bold, or tried on something you never thought you’d wear. That’s the thrill-the sense of transformation, of seeing yourself in a new light. But when every suggestion is just more of the same, that spark fades fast.
Deloitte found that 73% of Gen Z and Millennials are hungry for brands that help them explore new sides of themselves-not just offer up more of what’s already in their closet.

The Old Way: Personalization as a Trap

Let’s be honest: most so-called “personalization” is just a feedback loop. Bought black jeans? Here are twenty more. Clicked on sneakers? Prepare for sneaker overload. This isn’t curation-it’s repetition. Forrester’s research says only 12% of shoppers have ever found something truly “aspirational or surprising” in their online recommendations.

The Shift: Aspirational Technology & The Return of the Human Touch

The future of online shopping shouldn’t be about guessing your next purchase-it should be about expanding your sense of what’s possible. True personalization is aspirational. It’s about helping you imagine, experiment, and evolve, not just replaying greatest hits.
McKinsey’s 2024 research found that brands using “aspirational” tech see a fourfold increase in customers trying new styles and categories. That’s not just a metric-it’s proof that people crave a little spark, a nudge toward something new.

How Glance AI Is Bringing Back the Human Touch

What if online shopping felt like a friend who truly gets your style? Glance AI is making that real by creating a digital version of you-not a generic model-capturing quirks like your crooked smile or unique hair texture. Unlike the tired “one size fits all” approach, it reflects your individuality across skin tone, body shape, and personal vibe, curating full outfits tailored to your taste and local weather, while predicting fit to ease return woes. It’s tech with heart, evolving with you to make every click feel personal.

Why It Matters

It's not anymore about copying looks or automating recommendations. There's a new kind of shopping that is coming up-one that feels like self-expression, not guesswork. If you want to peek under the hood, check out Glance AI's tech story: Product Lessons from Building Glance AI’s Digital Twin.

The Future: Shopping as Self-Discovery

The brands that matter tomorrow will be the ones that help you become who you want to be-not just who you’ve been. At Glance AI, the tech being created is not just smart, but soulful. Shopping should be a journey of self-discovery, not just another transaction. With tools built for inspiration, the future of shopping finally feels human again.