Google, Walmart, Shopify Partner for AI-Powered Shopping with Universal Commerce Protocol

• Google CEO Sundar Pichai launched the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) at NRF 2026, an open standard for AI-driven shopping.
• UCP enables AI agents to manage the entire shopping journey, from product discovery to payment, without human intervention.
• Google partnered with major retailers like Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, Walmart, and payment companies such as Visa and Mastercard.
• The protocol will allow native checkout on AI Mode and the Gemini app, enabling direct purchases through AI agents.
• UCP standardizes AI agent interaction with merchants, systems, and payment services, simplifying integration for retailers.

Why It Matters: Google's UCP, backed by major retailers, aims to revolutionize online shopping through AI-powered automation.