Jargon Journal
A place to bring clarity to industry speak—decode terms and master the lingo.
Generative AI has taken the world by storm in just a few short years, unleashing a flood of new tools—and even more new jargon. For example, what do we call the new AI-powered search engines recently on the scene? To some they’re “AI search,” to others “LLM search,” and to others still “conversational search.” Sometimes these different terms refer to exactly the same thing, other times they hint at subtle distinctions—and lately, they’re being used interchangeably. That’s where CatalogIQ's Jargon Journal steps in: your trusty guide through the ever-evolving soup of AI buzzwords, slicing through the chaos one term at a time.
| Jargon [Term] | Description |
|---|---|
| Agentic AI | AI systems capable of autonomous decision‑making and action—perceiving, reasoning, learning, and executing tasks like product discovery, recommendations, and complete checkouts on behalf of users. |
| AI Search Engines | Search tools enhanced with generative AI capabilities—short for Generative AI Search Engine—understanding natural language input to generate answers or synthesize info in real time. |
| Answer Engines | Platforms designed to provide immediate, concise answers to user queries—powered by AI and NLP—without requiring users to click through links. |
| Autonomous Ecommerce | A broad term referring to AI systems that independently manage and execute purchases on behalf of users, minimizing or eliminating manual input. |
| Conversational Search | Search interfaces that allow users to interact via natural, dialogue‑like exchanges—engaging in chat‑style Q&A rather than keyword lookup. |
| Programmatic Commerce | Purchases made automatically by connected devices (e.g., a smart coffee machine ordering beans when supplies run low) using preset rules and learning. |
| Zero‑Click Buying | A predictive model where AI or retailers anticipate your needs and send products automatically—customers can keep what they like and return the rest. |
| Zero‑Click Commerce / Zero‑Click Result | Transactions completed directly within an interface—like search results or a chat—without visiting an external site; in e‑commerce, purchases occur inside the AI or search tool. |
| Zero‑Click Ordering | AI‑driven automatic reordering of everyday items via voice assistants or agents, reducing friction in replenishment purchases. |
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