Google escalates AI shopping war

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Google escalates AI shopping war

TL;DR

  • Google is launching a new open-source standard called the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to facilitate AI-powered shopping.
  • UCP was developed in partnership with major retailers such as Shopify, Walmart, and Target, as well as payment giants like Visa and Mastercard.
  • The protocol will enable a direct checkout feature on Gemini and Google Search, allowing users to make purchases without leaving the AI tools.
  • Google is also introducing a business agent on Search for shoppers to directly chat with brands' virtual assistants.
  • This move positions Google to compete with other AI platforms offering similar shopping functionalities.