How 3D & AI Are Reshaping Commerce Faster Than We Predicted

When Dopple released The Unseen Influence of 3D in the Age of AI back in March, we aimed to capture not just the present moment… but the imminent future. We staked a few big bets on how 3D commerce, AI, and dynamic product data would converge to reshape the customer experience.

A few months later, those bets are unfolding faster than we anticipated. Here’s a look at where the industry is moving, and how it aligns with the predictions we outlined.

1. 3D as the Default: From Shopify to Google

Our whitepaper argued that 3D product visualization isn’t just a futuristic feature anymore. It has made its path to becoming the default for digital commerce.

Since March:

• Shopify has introduced deeper native support for 3D and AR in product listings, enabling merchants to easily showcase dynamic, interactive models.
  
  
• Google has updated its Shopping results to prioritize immersive product experiences, including 3D models and AR try-ons, directly in search.

These moves confirm that brands who invest in rich, interactive product data will have a clear edge in both discoverability and conversion. It’s a shift from static content to Situational Commerce, where products adapt to the user’s context and needs.

2. Multimodal AI is Here: OpenAI, Google, and the Commerce Edge

In our white paper, we speculated that the fusion of AI and 3D content would unlock new possibilities for product discovery and personalization.

Now, we’re seeing:

• OpenAI’s GPT-4o has introduced seamless multimodal capabilities, making it possible to process and generate text, images, and even 3D concepts in a single conversation.
  
  
• Google’s Gemini continues to evolve, showcasing the potential for conversational agents to handle complex product queries turning static commerce sites into dynamic, context-aware assistants.

For brands, this means the line between product content and personalized service is blurring. The future isn’t just about showcasing products; it’s about creating responsive, situational experiences that anticipate customer needs.

3. Data as a Competitive Edge: Dynamic Configurations and Forecasting

Our original paper emphasized that 3D configurators aren’t just about visual appeal, they’re data goldmines. By tracking how customers interact with different configurations, brands can:

• Forecast demand trends more accurately.
• Optimize inventory and reduce overproduction.
• Tailor marketing and promotions to real-time customer interests.

Recent economic shifts, including persistent tariff uncertainties, have only made this more crucial. Smart brands are leaning into 3D and AR not just to sell, but to manage supply chains and plan smarter. It’s a proactive move toward resilience in an unpredictable global market.

4. Agentic Commerce Takes Shape

In The Unseen Influence, we introduced the concept of agentic commerce—or what we’ve been calling Situational Commerce at Dopple. The idea is that commerce experiences shouldn’t be static; they should adapt to the shopper’s intent, device, location, and even mood.

Recent developments are validating this vision:

• Conversational agents that can interpret user context and recommend products dynamically.
• AR overlays and configurators that adapt in real time to shopper inputs and environmental cues.
• Emerging tools that make digital twins and 3D models accessible for SMBs, not just enterprise brands.

The shift is clear: commerce has moved beyond selling products and has become about orchestrating experiences.

The Takeaway: Our Predictions Are Happening, Fast

What we proposed in March wasn’t just a thought exercise. Today, we see a clear trajectory toward:

• 3D as the standard, not the exception.
• AI as the connective tissue that links product data, customer context, and dynamic experiences.
• Situational Commerce as the new frontier, where static product pages give way to adaptive, personalized journeys.
  
  

If you haven’t yet, we invite you to revisit the whitepaper that started this conversation. It’s more relevant than ever.

Read The Unseen Influence of 3D in the Age of AI