Shopify and Google have introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open-source standard designed for agentic commerce. This protocol enables AI agents to seamlessly discover products, browse options, and complete purchases via chat interfaces, enhancing the e-commerce experience. According to Vanessa Lee, Shopify’s VP of Product, UCP aims to redefine shopping by streamlining transactions, facilitating hands-free purchases while ensuring customer control over decision-making. Merchants benefit from greater flexibility in how they present their products, adapting to diverse shopping behaviors. The protocol is designed to interact with any payment processor, making it versatile across commerce stacks. This launch follows Shopify’s Winter release of various AI tools, emphasizing the company’s commitment to propelling growth through technology. Additionally, Shopify is expanding selling opportunities through Google and Microsoft integrations, allowing merchants to reach customers where they engage most—ultimately positioning Shopify as a foundational layer in the evolving landscape of digital commerce.
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