7 AI Trends Shaping Search and Discovery in 2025

Information is power, and artificial intelligence (AI) is rewriting the rules of enterprise search and discovery. The numbers tell a striking story: only 25% of organizations have fully implemented Generative AI (Gen AI) initiatives, with tech and retail leading the charge. Yet, demonstrating tangible business value remains a challenge, with 49% of companies citing it as the biggest obstacle to AI adoption​.

Obviously, automation and generative AI (GenAI) are no longer just futuristic ideas. They’re here, but they haven’t quite realized their ultimate potential. Why not? Realistically, most companies need to make some foundational changes to their tech stacks before implementing a beast like Gen AI.

2025 is the year for organizations to master the low hanging fruits of AI search and discovery so they can modernize their digital experiences. This will transform traditional practices into intelligent, responsive systems that make our interactions and our workflows smarter. 

So, what AI trends will be driving this shift? And how will they shape the next year? Our search and discovery team of AI experts weighed in. 

1. The Conversational Revolution

We can’t believe we’re saying this, but it could be time to start parting with the traditional search bars we know and love. Instead, say hello to a new era of intuitive, human-centric digital interactions. In 2025, AI will start to transform the way we engage with websites, making the experience more natural and engaging than ever before.

Here’s how it’ll work: instead of typing keywords into a static box, you simply converse with a website, asking questions and receiving personalized responses in real-time. That’s conversational AI. The early adopters will put it to work, test out the kinks, and then boom, it’ll become the new standard.

I expect to see different generative AI-powered experiences woven seamlessly into the entire commerce search and discovery experience next year, including saying goodbye to the search bar.

– Keri Rich, VP, Product Management, Lucidworks

This shift is driven by groundbreaking advancements in multimodal AI, like ChatGPT-5 and Google’s Gemini. These cutting-edge technologies can interpret text, images, and audio simultaneously, allowing AI to understand user intent with unprecedented accuracy. But providing accurate and reliable information is an essential part of the AI puzzle. That’s where AI guardrails and knowledge libraries come in, ensuring that conversational AI stays on track and delivers trustworthy responses.

The result? More efficient, satisfying, and truly human-like online experiences. It’s no wonder that 84% of customer service representatives report that AI makes their jobs easier.

And it’s not just about convenience. AI is also becoming more accessible, empowering businesses of all sizes to enhance their operations. “AI solution packs” are delivering security, functionality, and accessibility in one convenient package, making it easier than ever to integrate AI into existing workflows.

Conversational input fields will become the standard interface for most websites moving forward. It’ll make searching for information, browsing/navigating, and completing tasks more personalized and the interactions more human-like.

– Jaisy De La Cruz, VP, Global Revenue Enablement, Lucidworks

But the “AI revolution” doesn’t stop there. We’re also witnessing the rise of autonomous AI agents – intelligent systems capable of managing complex tasks, from predictive maintenance in manufacturing to inventory management. These agents are transforming industries by boosting efficiency and reducing the need for constant human oversight.

2. AI-Powered Manufacturing

For the manufacturing industry, AI is unlocking new more efficient workflows and productivity gains. One key area of impact is metadata enrichment. By using generative AI, manufacturers can intelligently manage and organize product data, including information extracted from PDF source documents. This leads to faster, more accurate information retrieval and ultimately saves valuable time for search teams and merchandisers.

Enrichment tools will be leveraged using GenAI to add new metadata for products, including PDF source docs, saving time for the search team and merchandisers.

– Phil Ryan, SVP Strategy & Innovation, Lucidworks

Currently, only 34% of organizations use Gen AI embedded in existing applications. Furthermore, only 25% of AI projects successfully make it to implementation in 2024. This highlights the importance of strategic planning and execution when integrating AI into manufacturing processes.

Self-monitoring AI systems are proving particularly valuable in streamlining workflows. These systems can autonomously detect potential issues and make necessary adjustments, minimizing downtime and maintaining consistency. Autonomous AI agents are also playing a significant role, handling repetitive tasks and complex analyses, freeing up people to focus on more strategic initiatives.

In predictive maintenance, AI helps extend machinery lifespan and reduce maintenance costs by monitoring equipment performance and identifying signs of wear before they become critical. This proactive approach supports a leaner, more efficient manufacturing process.

Interestingly, companies focusing on AI engineering report higher success rates in implementation. This suggests that investing in robust AI infrastructure and expertise is crucial for manufacturers looking to fully capitalize on AI’s transformative potential.

3. Personalization: It’s What People Want

Customer service across industries is moving online, and it’s getting a whole lot smarter thanks to AI. In 2025, expect brands to use AI to make customer interactions even better. AI can personalize support, helping brands respond faster and fix problems automatically. And this isn’t just a fancy upgrade. It’s really what people want. A good 71% of us expect personalized experiences, and 76% get annoyed when it’s missing.

With generative AI, companies can create custom responses through chatbots and virtual assistants. This means quicker, more helpful, and even empathetic interactions. AI can analyze past data to predict what customers need and want, allowing companies to solve problems before they even happen. 

Cost, speed, and access control will still be critical use case considerations for organizations hoping to implement generative AI.

– Mike Sinoway, CEO, Lucidworks

And here’s the cool part: AI will be able to handle tougher questions and even learn to recognize emotions. This kind of personalization can boost sales by 20-30% and make customers 15-20% happier. It’s all about building relationships and making customers feel valued.

4. Building Trust with Transparent, Configurable AI

As AI’s influence grows, so too do the risks. The rise of deepfakes and other deceptive AI-generated content has made transparency and ethical AI practices more critical than ever.  In 2024 alone, we witnessed a surge in deepfakes, from fabricated presidential phone calls to the spread of explicit AI-generated images. This underscores the urgent need for organizations to prioritize responsible AI development and deployment.

Building trust requires more than just adhering to regulations like the EU AI Act. It demands a proactive approach, with explainable and configurable AI systems at its core. Explainable AI allows users to understand how AI arrives at its decisions, fostering confidence and acceptance. Configurable AI, like that offered by Lucidworks, empowers businesses to tailor AI to their specific needs and ethical considerations. This transparency is crucial for all organizations leveraging AI, from those in highly sensitive sectors like finance and healthcare to those simply seeking to enhance customer experiences on their websites. After all, 77% of customer experience leaders view themselves as responsible for customer data safety.

Addressing AI bias is equally vital. Collaborative efforts are needed to ensure fair and equitable AI usage, especially in high-stakes applications like healthcare and criminal justice, where biased AI can have severe repercussions. Regulators also have a crucial role to play in developing robust governance frameworks to manage AI’s complexities, from data management to model accuracy.

Ultimately, building trust in AI is about more than just compliance. It’s about creating a future where AI is universally trusted and valued for its fairness and reliability. This means ensuring that AI serves the best interests of everyone, from customers interacting with AI on company websites to individuals impacted by AI in critical decision-making processes.

5. The End of “Keywords”

This is a quick trend, but an important trend. Search is evolving beyond keywords. Users are increasingly turning to images, voice, and complex questions to find what they need. Search engines and companies must adapt, understanding not just what users type, but what they mean. This means interpreting non-text queries and deciphering the intent behind longer, more conversational search phrases. The future of search is about understanding, not just matching.

6. AI: Not a Replacement, but a Partner

In 2025, we’ll see even more discussions around “augmented working,” where humans and AI collaborate to achieve new levels of productivity and creativity.

In healthcare, AI is already easing administrative burdens, allowing doctors and nurses to dedicate more time to patient care. In creative fields, AI tools are helping designers generate ideas and marketers personalize content. And in manufacturing, AI-powered systems are optimizing production and preventing costly downtime.

The key is to see AI not as a threat, but as an enabler. By embracing AI, we can achieve new levels of human potential and outcomes that were once impossible. This will also create new roles and opportunities for those with AI-related skills. The companies that invest in reskilling and upskilling their workforce will be the ones that thrive in the age of augmented working.

7. Ecommerce Gets Personal

In 2025, ecommerce is set to evolve beyond traditional recommendations. AI will help retailers generate custom product configurations and hyper-relevant content in real-time. Customers will interact with brands through image-based searches, finding similar products by simply uploading photos. This approach goes beyond text, offering a new way to discover products based on personal style and preference, enhancing the shopping journey.

AI will also power exception-based merchandise management, providing insights into real-time sales trends and automating inventory adjustments. In an era where customer preferences shift quickly, AI allows retailers to respond to demand fluctuations efficiently, minimizing stockouts and overstock issues. AI will also enhance social and live commerce experiences by enabling real-time shopping through social media and live events. This trend merges entertainment with shopping, creating dynamic experiences that drive conversions and customer engagement.

AI’s impact on ecommerce extends to operational efficiencies. As AI becomes embedded in retail ecosystems, it will allow for rapid adaptation to market shifts, improving both front-end customer experience and back-end logistics. Brands that embrace these tools will create a seamless, responsive retail environment that aligns with evolving consumer expectations.

Preparing for the AI-Driven Future

Organizations embracing advanced AI solutions will gain new levels of efficiency, personalization, and agility. They will have a decisive edge in an increasingly competitive landscape. 

However, with great advancements come great responsibilities. It’s increasingly important to address the complex regulatory environment, commit to ethical practices, and foster transparency to build lasting trust with customers and stakeholders. 

2025 offers endless opportunities for businesses ready to harness this potential. Now is the perfect time to rethink strategies and adopt new AI tools. All of this to help shape the future.

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