Google has expanded its Gemini AI assistant into retail by partnering with Gap Inc., allowing users to browse and purchase items from Gap’s brands directly within the chatbot using Google Pay and the Universal Commerce Protocol. At the same time, OpenAI is stepping back from its built-in checkout feature in ChatGPT, focusing instead on improving product displays, side‑by‑side comparisons, and overall relevance. The move reflects a broader trend of retailers and AI developers experimenting with conversational commerce while reassessing what shopping experiences resonate with users. Read more →