The retail landscape is rapidly evolving, with AI-driven solutions reshaping how stores operate and engage with customers. Today's consumers expect personalized, efficient service, while staff need immediate access to accurate information on customer traffic, inventory, sales, and other key metrics. Meeting these demands requires powerful edge computing solutions that can process and deliver insights in real time.
Powered by Intel Xeon 6 CPUs running in a Cisco UCS server, the Edge IQ Retail Assistant exemplifies this potential. This technical demonstrator will be featured in the Intel Showcase (#3035) at Cisco Live 2025, taking place in San Diego, CA, from June 8 to 12, 2025. Attendees will get a firsthand experience of how generative AI can transform retail operations without relying on GPUs.
Thanks to a chatbot interface powered by open-source small language models and real-time data analytics, store associates can interact naturally through voice or text, receiving immediate information about product availability from Chooch's inventory system or crowd density from WaitTime's analytics platform. The assistant seamlessly translates these inquiries into actionable insights, helping staff make informed decisions that enhance customer experience while optimizing store operations, all powered by CPU processing.
You can also read our blog post at https://www.arcee.ai/blog/building-an-ai-retail-assistant-at-the-edge-with-small-language-models-and-intel-xeon-cpus
Transcript
Hi everybody, this is Julien from Arcee. In a few days, I'll be flying to San Diego, California for the Cisco Live Conference, and on June 10, we're hosting a live stream you don't want to miss.
We'll be demoing retail AI at the edge, running entirely on Intel Xeon CPUs inside a Cisco server, no GPUs required. You'll see how store associates can get real answers through voice or text, retrieved in real time from Tucci's inventory system and WaitTime's crowd analytics, all processed locally right at the edge.
You will see how small language models and CPU-optimized AI are transforming retail. I'll be joined by guest speakers from Tucci, WaitTime, Intel, and Cisco to explore the tech behind it.
Catch the live stream on YouTube or LinkedIn; links are in the description. June 10, 11 a.m. Pacific. See you there.
Tags
Retail AIEdge ComputingLive Stream DemoIntel Xeon CPUsAI in Retail Transformation