#United States #Irving #Google Cloud #Michaels #Ask Mike

Michaels Unveils 'Ask Mike' AI Assistant

In a groundbreaking move to elevate the shopping experience, Michaels, the premier name in creativity and celebration across North America, has rolled out an innovative AI-powered shopping assistant named Ask Mike. This new digital companion, built on Google Cloud's cutting-edge Gemini Enterprise platform, takes the guesswork out of product discovery on Michaels.com.

The core purpose of Ask Mike is to simplify the path from creative inspiration to purchase, transforming a routine search task into an engaging dialogue that feels personalized and intuitive. Unlike conventional keyword searches, Ask Mike allows shoppers to describe their unique creative visions. This interactive approach yields highly tailored product recommendations, helping customers find what they need to bring their ideas to life.

Now live on Michaels.com, this virtual assistant operates seamlessly across all devices, whether you’re browsing on a desktop, mobile phone, or through the Michaels app, available on both iOS and Android platforms. The tool has quickly gained traction, with over 75,000 conversations initiated in just a few weeks since its launch. Shoppers are leveraging Ask Mike for a myriad of creative needs, from planning a birthday celebration to sourcing the perfect fabric for DIY projects.

Ask Mike is more than just your average digital assistant; it acts as a versatile creative partner. Users are already putting it to work in various scenarios—asking for support in party planning, like, "Help me organize a birthday party for my child," as well as seeking specific materials, telling Ask Mike, "I need a fabric for DIY curtains." This illustrates a significant shift in the online shopping paradigm, where the experience is no longer linear or mechanical but a friendly conversation designed to inspire and facilitate customer decision-making.

According to Heather Bennett, the President and Chief Customer Officer at Michaels, the release of Ask Mike aligns perfectly with the company's mission: “As the destination for creating and celebrating, we're committed to meeting our customers exactly where they are. Ask Mike is more than just a search tool; it's a personalized creative partner for our customers so they can find what they need to bring their unique visions to life.”

The collaboration with Google Cloud has played a pivotal role in the successful launch of Ask Mike. Paul Tepfenhart, Global Director of Retail Industry Strategy & Solutions at Google Cloud, expressed optimism about this partnership: “Michaels has been building on Google Cloud for years, and Ask Mike is a direct result of that strong foundation. Seeing a retailer go from concept to production-grade AI in just six weeks signals where the industry is headed.”

Beyond merely enhancing the customer interface, Michaels plans to continually expand Ask Mike's capabilities. Upcoming enhancements will include AI-driven product overviews and contextual prompts available directly on product detail pages, further enriching the shopping experience and aiding customers in making informed decisions.

To explore the possibilities of this revolutionary shopping assistant, visit Michaels.com and experience Ask Mike - your new partner in creativity.

About The Michaels Companies, Inc.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Michaels is the leading destination for creativity and celebration in North America, operating over 1,300 stores across 49 states and Canada. In addition to its extensive range of crafting supplies, Michaels also owns Artistree, a specialist in custom and specialty framing merchandise. For more details about Michaels and its offerings, visit www.michaels.com.

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud provides an extensive AI infrastructure, leading models like Gemini, and various data management capabilities tailored to assist organizations in transforming their businesses. With customers spanning over 200 countries and territories, Google Cloud is recognized as a trusted technology partner.