AI is going to change nearly everything. Customers are going to be empowered in ways that will significantly change how we conduct sales and marketing.

Let’s explore another example of a possible future. What might the process of buying a car look like a few years from now?

Imagine waking up on a Saturday morning, putting on your AI-enabled glasses, and casually saying aloud, “Good morning. I think I’m ready to press the button on the new car today.”

Your assistant responds, “Great. Let’s pick up where we left off. I’ve updated your shortlist based on your preferences and timeline. Your maximum recommended budget remains $55,000 drive-away, so your insurance should stay under $150 per month.”

Within moments, your assistant overlays a curated shortlist directly into your field of vision, each option precisely matched to your needs. Choices aren’t driven by flashy television commercials but by robust, real-world data: expert and customer reviews, verified battery ranges, actual energy efficiency, towing capacities, historical service records, precise insurance quotes, and even future resale value projections.

“I’ve identified the top five candidates,” your assistant continues. “Two are available locally today, another offers better pricing interstate, and two pre-owned vehicles provide excellent value. One custom-order model matches your spec almost perfectly but is estimated at 11 months delivery, so I’ve deprioritised it. Please review the remaining options and tell me which you’d like to check out today.”

You scan through the selections, watch a couple of video reviews, and double-tap your glasses to select the two preferred options. Your AI gets to work.

A few minutes later, your AI confirms: “I’ve reserved appointments today for your top new car pick and the best-rated secondhand option—a 2024 Voltia E-Cross with under 10,000 km, listed by a private seller nearby.”

You decide to start at the dealership. Before anything begins, you politely inform the salesperson, “Just a heads-up—my AI assistant in these glasses will be listening in. It helps me document offers and verify any claims.”

The salesperson stiffens slightly but nods. “Alright.” AI-assisted customers are still not the norm and they are the bane of the experienced sales person, who knows many of their old techniques for up-selling my no longer work.

You follow up: “Do I have your verbal consent to record this interaction for analysis by my assistant?”

He hesitates, then responds, “Sure, sure, no problem.”

Your assistant stays present in your glasses, its voice piped discreetly into your ears. The salesperson launches into the usual pitch, quoting an attractive drive-away price.

“Ask for full itemisation,” your assistant murmurs. As soon as the breakdown appears, it flags: “Dealer add-ons detected. Paint protection listed at $1,495. VIN etching: $895. Nitrogen tyres: $695. All high-margin fluff. Request removal.”

You do. The salesperson shrugs and says, “It’s all part of the package.”

Your assistant flashes a warning: _“Pre-installed nonsense. Optional, not mandatory.”_

As the conversation moves toward financing, the salesperson asks, “What sort of monthly payment are you aiming for?”

Your assistant cuts in sharply: “Redirect. Payment-focused negotiation hides inflated APR, extended terms. Push back. Discuss only total out-the-door price.”

You ask the AI for clarification, right in front of the salesman. “Inflated APR?”

It replies: “The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the actual cost of borrowing, including interest and fees. Dealerships often act as middlemen for car loans. A bank might approve the buyer at 5%, but the dealer tells the buyer the rate is 7.5%, pockets the 2.5% difference, and hopes the buyer doesn’t notice or question it. Tell him to stick to the total cost and forget about payments for the moment.”

You pass it on.

The salesperson leans back, grinning, not giving up just yet. “Well, there is a $3,500 market adjustment on this model—everyone wants one right now.”

Your assistant highlights the term _ADM – Additional Dealer Markup_ and pulls up four comparable listings within 50km—none with a surcharge.

You say flatly, “Other dealers aren’t charging that. Have a nice day.”

“Okay, let me talk to my manager.”

Fifteen minutes later, you’re still waiting.

Your assistant chimes in: “Tactic detected: time-as-a-weapon. Dealer delay fatigue. Recommend you leave.”

You glance back at the showroom floor and say, “Actually, let’s leave it. I’ve got another appointment.”

You walk.

Later that day, you meet the private seller in their driveway.

Your assistant has already reviewed the online listing, checked the VIN against public registries, confirmed no outstanding finance or recalls, and pulled the battery’s state-of-health report.

As you begin your inspection, your glasses guide the process. Visual markers appear as you slowly scan the exterior and interior. As your gaze moves to the rear left wheel, a subtle highlight appears and the assistant says, “Minor curb rash. Ask if the tyre was ever replaced.”

Inside the car: “Back seat stitching is starting to fray. Cosmetic only.”

Then: “Ask him to pull out the service paperwork from the glovebox.”

The seller retrieves the service book.

You say, “Would you be okay with me contacting your service centre to verify the records? My assistant will initiate the request and ask for your permission if needed.”

The seller nods. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

As you focus, the assistant extracts the service centre’s details from a stamp. “Initiating a call to Coastal Auto Repairs,” it announces.

Through a discreet audio exchange, you hear your assistant speak to the service centre’s AI. It replies, “To comply with the Australian Privacy Act, I need the owner’s direct consent. I’m sending a secure, one-time verification link to the mobile number on file.”

The seller pulls out their phone, taps ‘Approve’ on the incoming link, and moments later your assistant confirms: “Verified. Full log received. Last service was six days ago. Coastal Auto confirms the vehicle passed all checks and states they will cover any defects not captured in their records free of charge for the next 12 months.”

Your assistant pauses, then adds: “Given that assurance and the verified inspection just completed by the service centre, an independent inspection may not be necessary. Shall I proceed to finalise the contract?”

You nod. A contract appears in your view. You approve it with a double tap on the side of your glasses. Your assistant sends the updated agreement to the seller, pre-fills the notice of disposal and transfer of ownership form, and initiates insurance activation.

Meanwhile, since you’ll need financing, your assistant picks up on the simultaneous negotiations it started with eight lenders’ AI agents a week earlier. Within seconds, it presents the top three offers, sorted by total cost over the loan term, with live APR breakdowns and fine-print clauses automatically parsed. You pick the cleanest offer with the lowest effective rate, and your assistant finalises the paperwork instantly.

Within an hour, the vehicle is registered, insured, financed, logged in your household transport system, and ready for charger installation.

What do you think about this version of the future? Realistic or not?

How will customers having AI affect your line of business?