From Voice to Personalisation

This is the second post in a personal series on building icedcoffee.com — part journal, part prototype log, part reflection on what’s next for coffee and technology, all shaped by the ongoing process of kaizening coffee.

Sketching from Curiosity of the Future

After writing about being the best match, I built a small voice AI demo on icedcoffee.com. No fanfare — just curiosity. Inspired by where big tech seemed to be heading, I wanted to explore what might happen if ordering coffee didn’t begin with a product grid — but with how you feel.

Whether through chat or voice — something like:

“I’m feeling bored.”
“Order me something refreshing.”

It was a lightweight prototype powered by AI — just a few carefully tuned prompts and assistant logic. And it worked. The assistant responded to moods with rituals and drop suggestions — offering a collection of coffees in both English and Thai.

Tiny moments of delight that reimagined how ordering coffee could feel: more personal, more intuitive.

As I write this, I’m preparing to take the demo offline and document it here instead. I didn’t want to erase it — because this wasn’t just about voice. It marked the beginning of a shift already underway, as AI continues to accelerate and expand the creative possibilities of how we imagine customer experience.

While the demo was small, it hinted at a bigger ambition — not just to showcase a tool, but to explore a new interface for discovery.

The Way We Ask Isn’t New - but Online, It’s Just Beginning

In the early days, it felt awkward for café customers to say things like:

“I want something floral and fruity.”
“I’m looking for something nutty and chocolaty.”

But that’s changing. Today, people are more confident expressing what they’re actually in the mood for — whether it’s bold with bright acidity or something smoother and mild.

This shift in preference has become the new norm, shaping a broader drinking culture that’s moving away from overly sweet, burnt, or commodity-style coffee — and toward something more expressive, social, and quality-driven.

Thanks to the many who’ve pioneered this culture over the past decade — educating the market daily, cup by cup, with the spirit of specialty coffee.

Now, many visit cafés not just for black coffee or single-origin pour-overs, but for the rituals, creative space, and café-hopping culture. Signature drinks — like orange cold brew, yuzu sparkling cold brew, and coconut coffee — have become easy entry points, especially for younger audiences.

Specialty coffee is no longer just about origin stories. It's become a trusted layer behind well-crafted beverages — where quality meets creativity, and community is just as important as the cup itself.

A Broader Shift

As coffee culture has gone global, the way people buy coffee has shifted too. In the past few years, online coffee shopping has surged — from beans and bottled brews to limited-edition drops. People are now more open than ever to discovering coffee through digital platforms, driven by the ease of home delivery, flexible ordering, and recurring subscriptions.

At the same time, preferences have become more diverse — from purists who appreciate single-origin black coffee to those who seek playful, flavor-forward drinks. What this reveals is something deeper: people want coffee that fits not just their taste, but their mood, lifestyle, and daily rituals.

Convenience and personalisation now go hand in hand.

The Role of AI

The next generation of brands must embrace AI to stay relevant. It unlocks a richer layer of personalisation — shaped by mood, context, and intent. And increasingly, discovery begins with natural conversation.

“I’m going to a party — I want something fruity and refreshing.”
“I’ve got a long study week ahead — what should I stock up on?”

These aren’t just product searches — they’re emotional signals. They reflect how people think, feel, and choose. That’s where conversation-led discovery shines.

It’s no surprise that AI will soon power many aspects of daily life. As these systems evolve, they’ll behave less like tools — and more like companions. They’ll learn our preferences over time, anticipate our needs, and help us find what we love — faster and more intuitively.

Final Thought

When designed with care and emotion, AI becomes more than tech — it becomes part of how we search, choose, and connect.

Because the way we ask isn’t new — but online, it’s only just beginning.