How is artificial intelligence transforming the way consumers search, discover, and purchase products online?

In this NYSE Live interview, Steven Lynch, CEO of Algolia, discusses the company's partnership with Orange Group, the evolution of AI-powered search, product intelligence, governance in AI systems, and how businesses are reimagining customer experiences in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Ashley Mastronardi spoke with Lynch about search technology, artificial intelligence, customer experience, e-commerce, product discovery, retail innovation, and the future of digital engagement.

A major theme throughout the conversation is Algolia's partnership with Orange Group, which serves hundreds of millions of customers worldwide. Through the collaboration, Algolia's technology helps improve product discovery,
information access, customer support experiences, and digital engagement across Orange's platforms.

The interview also explores how search is evolving. Traditional keyword-based search experiences are increasingly being replaced by more conversational and context-aware interactions powered by artificial intelligence.

Another key topic is customer discovery. Lynch explains that businesses are looking to help users find products, services, support resources, reviews, FAQs, and other relevant information more efficiently than ever before.

The conversation further examines the role of AI governance. Organizations adopting AI solutions increasingly want transparency, brand control, merchandising oversight, and customization capabilities rather than relying entirely on black-box systems.

A significant focus of the discussion is Algolia's business model. The company powers more than two trillion searches annually across thousands of organizations, helping businesses deliver fast, personalized, and relevant search experiences.

The interview also highlights changes in consumer behavior. Users are increasingly interacting with AI systems such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot, creating new expectations for how search and product discovery should function.

Another major theme is the rise of natural language search. Rather than relying on simple keywords, consumers increasingly provide detailed context and specific goals when searching for products or information.

The discussion also explores the evolution of online shopping. Businesses are moving beyond traditional search results pages toward recommendation-driven experiences that better understand customer intent and preferences.

Additionally, Lynch discusses the growing importance of off-site discovery. Consumers are increasingly beginning their buying journeys on AI-powered platforms before visiting company websites to complete transactions.

The interview further examines how AI-assisted product discovery can improve conversion rates by providing shoppers with more relevant recommendations and richer contextual information.

Another key topic is product intelligence, which Lynch describes as the knowledge layer surrounding products, including attributes, use cases, customer needs, product details, and supporting content.

The conversation also highlights Algolia's focus on enriching product data through artificial intelligence, helping businesses improve search relevance and create more personalized customer experiences.

A significant focus is balancing AI innovation with governance and control. Companies increasingly want AI systems that remain aligned with brand standards, business objectives, merchandising strategies, and customer expectations.
The discussion further explores the future of retail search. Lynch expects search experiences to become increasingly conversational, personalized, and context-aware while integrating seamlessly with both human and AI-driven discovery channels.

Looking ahead, Algolia plans to continue investing in product intelligence, governance capabilities, and AI-powered discovery solutions that help organizations serve customers more effectively across digital channels.

Throughout the discussion, Lynch shares insights on artificial intelligence, search technology, e-commerce, customer experience, product intelligence, digital discovery, retail innovation, personalization, enterprise software, and the future of online engagement.

Disclaimer: Informational content only. NYSE does not endorse or recommend investments, strategies, companies, products, or services discussed.

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