Customer Predictive Analytics Using Artificial Int
Customer Predictive Analytics Using Artificial Int
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SITI ZULAIKHA*
Lecturer of Faculty of Economics and Business
Universitas Airlangga
Surabaya, Indonesia
[email protected]
Singapore Econ. Rev. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com
HAZIK MOHAMED
Managing Director
Stellar Consulting Group Pte. Ltd.
Co-Founder, Joompa Pte. Ltd.
[email protected]
MASMIRA KURNIAWATI
Universitas Airlangga
Surabaya, Indonesia
[email protected]
This conceptual paper exclusively focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) serves as a means to
identify a target audience. Focusing on the marketing context, a structured discussion of how AI can
identify the target customers precisely despite their different behaviors was presented in this paper.
The applications of AI in customer targeting and the projected effectiveness throughout the different
phases of customer lifecycle were also discussed. Through the historical analysis, behavioral insights
of individual customers can be retrieved in a more reliable and efficient way. The review of the
literature confirmed the use of technology-driven AI in revolutionizing marketing, where data can be
processed at scale via supervised or unsupervised (machine) learning.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence; big data; business automation; customer targeting; segmentation.
* Corresponding author.
This is an Open Access article published by World Scientific Publishing Company. It is distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY) License which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
1
2 The Singapore Economic Review
1. Introduction
Many companies have recently resorted to data analytics using large datasets in order to
understand their target audience better. For instance, taking the case of the global artificial
intelligence (AI) market, American companies have increased their spending on data an-
alytics and business intelligence software, which was expected to reach up to USD 191.60
billion in the United States alone by 2025.1 Following the immense growth of consumer-
driven digital data and the subsequent need to extract strategic critical information, the
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services sector accounts for the largest share of the predictive analytics software market.
Undoubtedly, the demand for intelligent virtual assistants would continue to rise. In this
digital era, marketing strategies have also started to make use of technologies to organize
and process complex datasets of customers to target a specific market for their products or
services. As these data outputs serve as intelligible insights for numerous brands, the motto
“customer is king” can be usefully extended into digital marketing, where customers are
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served like a king by satisfying their demands personally at any time. Optimized marketing
campaigns must work with customer sentiment in real time. With that, communications
can be adjusted according to the behavioral insights of the customers’ emotions and
preferences.
Fundamentally, target marketing focuses on identifying a realistic approach to fit the
products and services for the customers. Companies may develop different strategies
according to how they define their markets — the more appropriate their target market, the
more effective their strategies. Segmenting customers is very vital to develop effective and
efficient marketing programs. Marketers divide a large market into different subsets of
customers with common needs, interests, and priorities before strategies to target each
segment are designed. Targeting specific customers would require efforts and can be rather
costly given the need to involve marketing institutions to analyze the markets. However,
with the development of technologies, AI can now be used to define the market into
specific targets. Through data science and machine learning, marketers can accurately
make highly nuanced targeted decisions. The AI-driven marketing machine can utilize
sensory inputs to deduce market conditions and even analyze visual inputs such as facial,
object, and gesture recognition. This clearly demonstrates the importance of machine
learning as an AI tool that can create human behavioral profile in this digital era.
AI has the capabilities to imitate the human brain to provide data by identifying the
target audience based on the behavioral insights historically. In particular, AI retrieves,
analyses, and presents data in a reliable and efficient way for marketers to acquire a specific
marketing plan. AI can make a profile of human that covers the capabilities of image,
recognition, and voice via machine learning and semantic search when the customers
search and click certain websites to find the required information. In this era of online
shopping, such capabilities greatly benefit marketers in identifying the right customers for
their products or services.
1 https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/artificial-intelligence-market-segmentation-application-trends-opportunity-
forecast-2018-to-2025-2018-10-09.
Customer Predictive Analytics Using AI 3
Despite several studies on the role of intelligence in marketing (Stalidisa et al., 2015;
Boisena et al., 2018), AI-driven segmentation, specifically to predict the behaviors of
customers, remains underexplored. This may be attributed to the limited applications of the
AI systems to manage industrial marketing issues over the past decade. Therefore, this
paper exclusively focused on the role of AI in organizing the customers into specific targets
for marketers, including an overview of the applications of AI techniques in customer
targeting when it comes to market segmentation. The database of any related websites was
used to carry out the literature search, which covered publications up to December 2019
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using the term “artificial intelligence technique” in the title, abstract, and keywords. A
structured discussion of how AI can identify the target customers precisely despite their
different behaviors was presented in this paper. Considering that certain industrial mar-
keting topics are yet to be explored, this paper on segmentation and targeting was regarded
as the first to explore how AI can help marketers to target specific customers. Through AI,
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segmenting customers would be easier since it provides supporting data on the key ele-
ments of a marketing plan, such as positioning to achieve specific objectives of the de-
veloped marketing plan. In view of the above, AI-related issues with the emphasis on
customer targeting were discussed. Following that, the review of key literature is presented
in the subsequent section. The next section discusses how AI can be applied in customer
targeting and the applications of AI in the services sector with the emphasis on the
applications that are relevant to market segmentation. Finally, this paper presents the
conclusions of this discussion.
2. Literature Review
AI refers to the ability of a digital computer to perform tasks that are commonly linked to
humans, such as the ability to reason and generalize, discover meaning, or learn from past
experience.2 In other words, AI is a machine that is capable to learn and imitate or simulate
the intelligent behavior of humans. Meanwhile, machine learning is a branch of AI that
applies algorithms to synthesize the underlying relationships of data and information. The
machine learning system can be used to convert automatic speech into a semantic structure
expressed in the form of words. In addition, machine learning improves the efficiency of
marketing functions in every step taken by the customers. To make prediction of customer
behavior, supervised learning is needed to provide a learning basis for future data pro-
cessing. Supervised learning is a learning model built to make prediction, given unforeseen
input instances (Kotu and Deshpande, 2019). It has algorithm to response to the dataset and
make classification model to generate future data processing. Therefore, with the help of
machine learning and supervised learning, AI can provide valuable data to predict their
behaviors in real-time process using automation.
Although the terms “AI”, “automation”, and even “robotics” are interchangeably used,
these terms are different. In particular, AI mostly uses algorithms to learn a process and
involves logical reasoning, learning, and problem solving whereas automation and robotics
2 https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence.
4 The Singapore Economic Review
use sensors and manual programming (Oswald and Mascarenhas, 2018). The main purpose
of AI is to develop software to imitate a human mind just like how humans handle general
problem solving, learning, and decision making in specific ways through an expert system
and computer vision. The role of AI in increasing the efficiency of companies was explored
in several past studies. For instance, López and Casillas (2013) explored the potential of
AI-based systems in the marketing context whereas Cao et al. (2015) highlighted the
potential of AI in bringing automated negotiation for e-commerce. On the other hand,
Vanneschi et al. (2018) developed a model to predict the probability of default when it
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development of specific marketing strategies. Studies have demonstrated the positive in-
fluence of applying IoT solutions on the process of developing long and successful rela-
tionships through engagement insights. For instance, Radaceanu (2007) examined the
potential use of AI to reproduce specific actions that must be validated by the human factor
in terms of productivity, quality, and competitiveness. In education, Bajaja and Sharmab
(2018) proposed a framework of tool on multiple learning models and AI techniques to
determine the most suitable of learning styles for a particular environment. For medical
purposes, AI is believed to minimize human error and subsequently, improve the reliability
of imaging interpretation (Fazala et al., 2018). Meanwhile, Fujii and Managi (2018) ob-
served a shift from biological- and knowledge-based models to specific mathematical
models and AI technologies, particularly in the United States and Japan.
When it comes to customer targeting, personalization is very important given the sig-
nificance of niche markets. Segmentation is a process of dividing the market into specific
parts with similar behaviors (Cahill, 1997). Through segmentation, companies can gain
competitive advantage as they can optimize their resources on the target customers. In the
past, the availability of quality data was limited and dominated by demographic infor-
mation from the field reports. Without AI, segmentation can be rather costly given the need
to collect a large customer database from many different areas. Nowadays, AI has made
segmentation easier and cheaper, as it is designed like the human brain to recognize and
solve problems. Moreover, in this digital era of AI technology, marketers are able un-
derstand their customers on a deeper level.
Therefore, marketing has begun to treat different customers differently at a lower cost
for its data storage with more effective technology solutions, general advancements in
know-how, and the ability to reach customers through digital channels. As indicated in
Table 1, traditional segmentation mainly involves analyzing customers manually using
simple tools and data. Recently, using the power of AI, such as predictive analytics,
marketers can predict the behavioral patterns of customers with the combination of their
demographic information to identify the appropriate target customers. Based on the pre-
diction output, marketers would be able to understand the customers’ behaviors,
Customer Predictive Analytics Using AI 5
motivations, and expectations in order to deliver relevant messages. This would help them
to create an optimized and targeted campaign for the target customers.
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Moreover, AI can provide data at a more granular level and predict the behavior of
customers based on their past behavior. Data of customers who engage with specific brands
benefit marketers. For example, the transactions of a female customer who browses and
purchases bags of specific brands contain information on her age, gender, marital status,
and income. AI using machine learning with a larger amount of data can deliver better
personalization on customer behavior, which differs from the kind of data the marketers
used to acquire. The machine would model each customer and then predict suitable pro-
ducts and brands for the target customers based on its learning of various behaviors.
Therefore, marketers can identify their target customers for segmentation with ease by
referring to the outputs of machine learning. In the past, demographic information was
previously used as an indicator of human behavior instead. Today, the customers’ needs,
motivations, and online behaviors (particularly their digital activities) are more appropriate
indicators for AI systems to conclude these customers’ interests. With the help of pre-
dictive audience segmentation technology, marketers can have access to valuable infor-
mation of customers.
at a lower cost, as every single interaction of customers with Internet access can be utilized
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(1) Customer targeting and value enhancement. Customer targeting that is linked to AI
and machine learning sets up marketers and developers on their preferred engagement
Customer Predictive Analytics Using AI 7
and projected growth. Its purpose is to achieve business goals through more value-
added user experiences and personalized offers to drive profits. Such initiatives trigger
desirable and meaningful engagement with the target customers. For example, busi-
nesses can employ AI and machine learning to collect such data to predict specific
behaviors and decision-making for effective interactions with high-value or niche
customers.
(2) Customer engagement. Key insights into the customers’ purchase patterns and
behaviors are among the most important aspects that determine the success of
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sales and marketing strategies. AI can provide the retailers with suggestions or
recommendations on the product displays and cataloguing based on the customers’
preferences.
(3) Customer experience. AI can significantly strengthen customer experience in three
different ways: (1) by automating simple interactions with customers, such as sending
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Figure 2. Effectiveness Scale of Customer Targeting Throughout the Customer Lifecycle Allen
(2017).
relating to web information related to bring to the customer relevant ads that they need.
Accordingly, dynamic pricing models are helpful in the demand-based price changes, such
as the variation of hotel room rates according to the season or day of the week. Prices can
be determined and optimized at a whole new level of precision, as AI algorithms process
the right data into a pricing matrix. Apart from pricing, there are other decisive factors,
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data than any other companies. Google continues to monopolize the service engine market
due to its ability to deliver more relevant results and identify destination pages that most
likely serve their users. Another example includes Facebook that sees AI as a vital tech-
nology to power many of the core features of its main platform. For instance, Facebook
News Feed is underpinned by AI that predicts what content each user may want to see.
Apart from detecting unwanted or harmful content, Facebook also developed AI that can
analyze images, videos, texts, and even facial recognition. When these companies continue
to have access to these valuable data to provide better products and user experience, they
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would eventually gain monopolistic power. For instance, Amazon and Alibaba can track
and access their customers’ every click for products and purchase or removal of products in
their shopping cart for the last couple of years. These companies take advantage of these
data models and AI ability to synthesize and apply the findings to the general population.
Consequently, with enough data to form a good sample model, they are able to target
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3 https://bernardmarr.com/default.asp?contentID=1536.
Customer Predictive Analytics Using AI 11
predictions by matching products with the purchaser and ranking them according to the
items these customers are more likely to be interested in. The entire process is instanta-
neous. Moreover, algorithms continuously improve as new data is fed into the system.
Machine learning continues to deliver personalized shopping experience for customers
based on the gathered big data in terms of their historical transactions, such as products that
customers search for and purchase and their capability of accessing personal information of
individual callers and continuously upgrading its capabilities by analyzing millions of
customer-service interactions.
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Possible Dangers of AI
The capabilities of AI to detect and predict the behavior of customers in every detail
way based on their historical transactions were clearly discussed in the prior sections.
However, the use of AI is also linked to privacy issue in regards to basic human rights. As
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many companies can easily track any individuals’ online activities through the use of AI,
this eventually leads to the loss or invasion of privacy and even social oppression. This
latest technology gathers the users’ daily activities and collects their data that may include
specific behaviors or personal actions (e.g., playing a certain game, smoking, watching
porn, or defaulting on loans). In other words, AI may provide valuable access to all parts of
life of the target audience but this is also the prime example of the possible dangers of AI in
terms of privacy issue.
5. Conclusion
AI will continue to develop and expand and a company must make use of this technology
to get ahead of its competitors and succeed in the competitive market. Clearly, the
applications of AI are very appealing for the marketing industry given its simplicity and
robustness in analyzing the engagement patterns and masses of users’ complex interactions
and actions to create human-like interactions without any human intervention. Moreover,
AI can process specific types of content according to the customers’ preferences for
enhanced user experience. Consequently, this benefits marketers in their decision making
and the implementation of marketing strategies. With the help of AI, companies can
save time and resources and can allocate more time to create and personalize their marketing
campaigns for the target customers. As AI can assess specific movements of customers on a
deeper level (e.g., the preferred brand of product) and predict accurately using micro-seg-
mentation, marketers are also able to distinguish their customers in a more personal way and
understand what contributes or motivates the long-lasting relationship between their company
and customers. With that, the companies can build a direct communication with their cus-
tomers, resulting in enhanced brand loyalty and lifetime relationship.
Acknowledgement
Directorate of Research and Community Service, Deputy for Strengthening Research and
Development, Ministry of Research and Technology/National Innovation and Research
Agency, Republic of Indonesia.
12 The Singapore Economic Review
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