Practical Ways to Use AI in Mobile Apps to Grow Your Business

Mobile apps today are no longer “just apps” but intelligent companions that learn from us, anticipate our needs, and adapt themselves around our behavior. 

That transformation isn’t magic: that’s AI, the same AI in mobile apps that’s changing how apps are built and used. And for businesses, developers, marketers, and startups, using AI isn’t a “maybe later” idea anymore, it’s becoming the standard.

The proof? The AI-powered-mobile-app market is expecting a surge. By 2026, estimates put the global “AI in mobile apps” market at somewhere around US $40.2 billion. 

And it’s not stopping there. Some projections see that market ballooning into the hundreds of billions over the next decade, around $258.6 billion.

And if your app doesn’t feel a little “alive,”you might already be falling behind. 

And for that to NOT happen, we’ve put together this post to take you on a guided journey through what “practical AI” means in mobile apps and how you, as a business owner, can use it right now to deliver real value to your customers.

What “AI” Really Means In A Mobile App

Think back to the last time you used a mobile app that felt intuitive: 

• Maybe it suggested the perfect product for you.
• Answered a question without human help.
• Or highlighted content you didn’t even realize you needed. 

That wasn’t a coincidence — that AI was hard at work.

• As of 2023, about 60% of mobile apps already incorporate some form of AI or machine-learning technology.
• Developers aren’t slowing down: many plan to increase investment in AI technologies in the coming years.
• On the user side, apps with AI tend to offer faster, smarter, and more personalized experiences, resulting in user satisfaction and increase in retention (something especially valuable for startups and businesses).

Practical Ways Mobile Apps Use AI Right Now 

Here are some of the most useful and reachable ways AI is already improving apps. These examples show the practical side of the development of AI in mobile apps today.

Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

Almost all apps now come with helpers (aka chatbots or assistants)  that users can ask questions any time.

For instance, need help dialing a customer support number at midnight? The bot handles it. 

Want to track your order or check delivery status? Bot’s got you covered. With 24/7 availability, quick responses, and less need for human support, it’s no surprise that these tools have become so widely used.

AI chatbots became so effective that they handled 55% of customer queries in mobile e-commerce apps during the first half of 2023, showing just how valuable they’ve become in improving user service.

Personalized Recommendations

When you open a shopping or content app and it shows you stuff you were actually looking to buy, that’s AI tailoring the experience.

Apps learn what you like, what you click, what you browse, then suggest items, articles, or services that match.

This kind of personalization can make users feel the app was designed just for them. 

Smart Search

Typing half a word and the app guesses what you meant? That’s a smart search.

It understands what people are likely trying to find (even if they misspelled things or don’t type a full query).

It’s similar to what we encounter on Google on a daily basis. After all, faster, smarter search makes the app easier to use,  saves time, improves experience, and reduces frustration.

Predictive Behavior & Smart Suggestions

Every user has a certain habit when it comes to using mobile apps, whether intentional or context-based. For example: using a social media app on the bus or a fitness app at the gym, or looking at their checking account every week.

AI can spot those patterns, and the app can then send helpful reminders or suggestions before the user even thinks of it. 

Security & fraud protection

In apps that handle payments, sensitive data or personal info, security is one of the primary concerns for such users. And in instances like these, AI can watch for odd behavior, suspicious transactions, or unusual patterns.

It can flag them before things go wrong. 

Image and Object Recognition

Apps can now see the world the way we do (or at least close enough). Take a picture of an object, a plant, or even a product, and the app can recognize it.

In e-commerce, that means snapping a photo of a shoe you like and instantly finding it online. In healthcare, it could mean scanning a skin patch or a medical image and getting a preliminary analysis.

AR filters, gaming, social media use image recognition to make the experience smarter and more interactive. It’s like giving your app eyes and letting it understand what it sees.

Advertising

Just like many other niches, AI is a huge help in the advertising industry as well. 

Why?

Cause marketing isn’t just about showing ads, but about showing the right ads, to the right people, at the right time. And with AI, it can look at who your users are, what they like, and even where they are, then serve ads that actually make sense to them. 

Some AI can even write the ad copy or create visuals that match user preferences, so every interaction feels a little more personal.

On the business side, it’s a game-changer. AI can decide which ads to show, when to show them, and how much to spend, making every marketing dollar count. 

What does all this translate to? Smarter targeting, better engagement, and most importantly, less wasted budget. Basically, advertising + AI = a combination that works without you having to babysit every detail.

Real Examples That Show How AI Can Work

Because theory sounds nice. But the result is where the real gold is. 

And these examples are a highlight of the hidden power of usage of AI in mobile apps.

• A language learning app (like Duolingo) that listens when you speak, adjusts to where your strengths and weaknesses are, and changes your lessons automatically to help you learn more efficiently.
• Ride‑hailing app that uses real‑time traffic + your history to suggest best pickup spots, ETAs and optimum routes so you spend less time waiting.
• Entertainment apps like Netflix and Spotify use AI to personalize content. Netflix claims that their recommendation engine saves over $1 billion annually in churn reduction.
• Shopping platforms like Amazon that shows products you’re most likely to buy + helps you find what you need faster, making the user feel like the app “gets you.”

Implementing AI in Mobile Apps: What to Watch Out For?

While AI is powerful, it’s not a magic wand. Tradeoffs and risks exist:

• Data Privacy and Security: You must handle user data carefully, especially if you use behavior tracking, biometrics, or sensitive info.
• Complexity: AI models can be hard to build and maintain.
• Cost: AI solutions take significant investment to build.
• User Trust: If AI gives poor suggestions or shows bias, users may not trust or distrust (and once that happens, it is very difficult, or sometimes impossible, to reverse it).

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, AI in a mobile app isn’t about fancy tech for the sake of it. It’s about making the experience smoother for the people who use it: 

And no! You don’t need to add everything at once. 

Start small: perhaps a chatbot for basic questions, simple suggestions to help users decide, or small predictions that improve the experience.

Whether you’re just testing your first app idea or running a bigger business looking to improve your app, vativeApps can help you add smart AI features that actually work for your users (and your business)