What Is the Legal Context Protocol? The Legal Layer for AI Shopping
When an AI agent clicks "I agree" for you, what did you actually agree to? A new open standard from the American Arbitration Association tries to…
AI Shopping
AI shopping is changing how people find and buy things online. Today, AI can research products, compare prices across retailers, watch for price drops and, in some cases, complete the checkout for you.
However, not every recommendation is neutral. In August 2024 the US Federal Trade Commission announced a final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials, which matters when an AI summarises reviews for you. The FTC’s shopping advice for consumers is also a useful checklist before you buy.
Inside our AI shopping coverage
We break down both the forecasts and the tools. For example, AI holiday shopping 2026 explains what the Adobe and Salesforce forecasts mean for you. Next, Walmart Sparky explained covers the retailer’s own shopping assistant. In addition, AI agent payments shows how Mastercard and Visa plan to let agents pay safely.
Smart habits before you buy
Always check the final price on the retailer’s own page. Keep a spending limit on any card you connect to an agent. Then read the return policy before you let an assistant buy anything for you.
Explainer
Walmart Sparky Explained: The AI Shopping Assistant and the Pricing Debate
Walmart's AI assistant now works in its app, ChatGPT and Gemini. Here is what it does, what the September 2026 pricing pledge says and why senators…
AI Agent Payments: How Mastercard Agent Pay and Visa Keep AI Shopping in Check
Mastercard and Visa are racing to set the rules for AI that pays on your behalf. Here is how their systems work, what protects you and what is still…
Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) Explained: What Shoppers Should Know
Google's open standard for AI shopping now has Amazon, Microsoft and Meta on board. Here is what UCP does, how it works and what it changes for…
Shopify WebMCP: What AI Agent Tools on Shopify Stores Mean for Shoppers and Merchants
Shopify quietly gave its stores a set of tools AI agents can call directly. Here is what those tools do, what they do not, and what it means for…
What is agentic commerce? What AI buying means for shoppers
AI assistants are moving from recommending products to preparing and completing checkout. Here is what agentic commerce means, what you can use…
Alexa for Shopping and ‘Buy for Me’, Explained: What Amazon’s AI Can Buy on Your Behalf
Amazon replaced Rufus with an agent that can track prices, auto-buy at a target price and check out on other retailers' sites. Here's how it works…
Google’s Universal Cart, Explained: One Shopping Cart Across Search, Gemini and More
Google announced a cart that follows you across its apps, watches prices and stock, flags incompatible items and checks out with participating…
AI Shopping Agents: How They Work and What They Can Buy for You
AI can now research, compare and — in some cases — check out for you. But who you're actually buying from, what happens with returns, and which…