Creativity during trying times

BEIJING: Wang Jiayi, a 31-year-old fashion magazine editor living in Tongzhou district of Beijing, is relying on a vending machine powered by artificial intelligence (AI) at her residential compound to supply her with fresh fruit, vegetables and other necessities. "I select products displayed on the transparent door of the machine and use my mobile to scan a quick response code. Once it is scanned, the door opens and payment is processed automatically after I make my selection and close the door, " Wang said. The entire process is convenient and requires no human-to-human contact, she added. The AI vending machines by e-commerce giant JD's logistics innovation laboratory, are being rolled out in Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing due to the rising demand for unmanned shopping experiences amid the Covid-19 outbreak.