tech
January 16, 2026
I saw the future of retail, and it’s all AI
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
TL;DR
- Retail and tech companies are heavily investing in AI to transform the shopping experience, from online interactions to in-store behavior.
- Google announced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to facilitate communication between retailers and AI agents for integrated shopping.
- Companies are developing AI features like chatbots for personalized ordering, product recommendations, and even analyzing group sizes from photos.
- New AI-focused search engine optimization strategies (AEO, GEO, GSO) are emerging as AI becomes central to discovery.
- In-store AI technology aims to track shopper movements and engagement, hyper-personalizing offers and advertising.
- Some companies, like Equapack, are focusing on traditional, human-centric packaging design, deliberately avoiding AI integration in their product.
- The article questions the true benefit and consumer desire for pervasive AI in retail, contrasting it with the tangible experience of well-designed packaging.