Google’s Solution to Terrible Online Shopping Is Having an AI Bot Buy Stuff on Your Behalf

From keyword-infested product pages that are impossible to parse to scalpers using bots to snatch up coveted limited-edition releases like the Nintendo Switch 2 or the latest Labubu drop, online shopping has become a terrible experience. Funnily enough, Google believes it can make buying things online less crappy with what’s basically an AI bot that shops on your behalf. At I/O 2025, Google Vice President and General Manager of Ads and Commerce Vidhya Srinivasan—a role that also oversees shopping—announced several new ways to shop with Google using AI to “improve” purchasing stuff. The first AI-infused shopping feature is part of Google’s new AI Mode and asks shoppers to use Gemini AI to offer suggestions and inspiration. For example, you may have a certain colored couch in your living room, but maybe you’re not an interior designer or have poor taste in choosing room decor. No problemo! Just point your phone’s camera and tell Gemini AI to, “Find some furniture to brighten up the roo ... Read full article.