According to engadget, Google just announced three game-changing AI shopping features that could seriously disrupt how we shop. The company is rolling out more conversational shopping search in AI Mode, letting users make highly specific queries and getting results formatted specifically for their needs – think shoppable images for visual searches or side-by-side comparisons for product research. But the real headline-grabbers are two agentic features: an AI checkout that can automatically purchase items when they hit your target price, and an AI that can actually call local businesses to check product availability. The agentic checkout is limited to US shoppers at select retailers including Wayfair, Chewy, and Quince for now, while the AI calling feature will initially cover toys, health and beauty, and electronics categories for US Search users. Users will still need to confirm purchases and shipping info before the AI completes any transactions through Google Pay.
The automation arms race heats up
This is Google making its biggest move yet into automated commerce, and honestly, it’s kind of brilliant. Think about it – they already know what people are searching for, they have the payment infrastructure with Google Pay, and now they’re removing the final friction points: price optimization and availability checking. The price-tracking auto-purchase feature is particularly clever because it turns Google into your personal shopping assistant that never sleeps. You set your target price, and the AI does the waiting and watching for you. But here’s the thing – how many people are actually comfortable letting an AI make purchases on their behalf, even with confirmation steps? There’s going to be some serious trust-building needed here.
Who wins and loses here?
This puts Google on a direct collision course with Amazon in ways we haven’t seen before. While Amazon dominates with its “buy now” convenience, Google is attacking from the discovery and price optimization angles. The local business calling feature is particularly interesting – it could actually drive more foot traffic to physical stores, which is something Amazon can’t easily replicate. Smaller retailers on Shopify and other platforms might benefit from Google’s expanded reach, but the big question is whether Amazon will ever play ball with Google’s shopping ecosystem. Probably not. Meanwhile, consumers get more power and convenience, but we’re also handing over more of our shopping decisions to algorithms. Is that ultimately a good thing? I’m not entirely convinced.
The trust factor
Look, having an AI that can call stores and negotiate or check availability sounds amazing in theory. No more waiting on hold, no more frustrating conversations with employees who might not know their inventory. But basically, we’re talking about AI agents making phone calls that sound human, potentially without the other person even realizing they’re talking to a machine. That raises some serious ethical questions that Google will need to address. And the auto-purchase feature? It’s convenient until there’s a glitch and you end up with ten vacuum cleaners instead of one. The confirmation steps are crucial, but you have to wonder how many people will eventually get comfortable enough to skip those too.
Where this is all heading
Google’s been steadily building out its AI shopping toolkit with virtual try-ons and other features, but this agentic push feels different. We’re moving from AI as a search tool to AI as an active participant in commerce. The next logical step? AI that doesn’t just buy when prices drop, but actually negotiates better deals or finds alternatives when your preferred item is out of stock. The line between helpful assistant and autonomous shopping agent is getting blurrier by the day. For now, it’s limited to specific retailers and categories, but if this takes off, we could be looking at a fundamental shift in how everyone shops online.
