what3words AI voice enabled assistant launches to help retailers manage large volumes of location data

Using OpenAI’s technology, what3words AI offers a voice enabled assistant capable of helping retailers, e-commerce, and logistics companies achieve a quicker way of managing large volumes of location data. 

The AI chat instantly recognises and understands what3words addresses from natural language, both typed and spoken.

what3words says the innovation will help reduce failed deliveries, make last mile navigation smoother and allow for address management at scale. 

The what3words app and website offer a way to share precise location information by dividing the world into three-metre by three-metre squares that aim to be simpler and more precise than traditional addresses or GPS coordinates.

Matt Weaver, Head of Solutions Engineering for EMEA at OpenAI says the launch is “a great example of how businesses can apply frontier AI to solve real-world challenges”.

He adds: “By harnessing OpenAI’s latest multimodal models - spanning voice, text and vision - what3words' new Pro features are a powerful demonstration of how advanced AI can be embedded across a product to deliver genuine value for the people and businesses who rely on it every day."

The new capability is now available in the Pro version of the what3words app and online map, and is available for custom API integration. 

Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder and CEO at what3words, says: “We’re seeing businesses across industries – from logistics and e-commerce, to utilities and construction - turning to AI to drive smarter, faster operations. But without accurate location data, these tools can fall short. Our unique addressing system fills that gap with a format that’s easy for both people and machines to understand.”

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries. 

Deadline for submissions is Friday, 5th December. It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January.