ChatGPT’s Shopping Misstep: The Promise and Risk of AI Commerce

ChatGPT has officially entered commercialization, but the road is rocky. Last weekend, OpenAI announced the addition of ads, sparking user concern. Earlier, in September 2025, ChatGPT quietly launched Instant Checkout, allowing users to purchase products directly within the chat interface—from selection to payment.

Google has introduced a similar approach, letting users complete purchases without leaving conversation windows. AI-driven shopping is evolving along two paths:

1. Platform AI integration—embedding AI into existing e-commerce platforms (e.g., Taobao AI search and virtual try-on);
2. AI as a commerce platform—AI directly becomes the entry point for shopping, replacing traditional browsing.

Statistics show explosive growth. Adobe reports that AI-powered e-commerce traffic increased 758% year-over-year from November to December 2025. Bain & Company notes ChatGPT shopping-related queries rose from 7.8% to 9.8%, doubling with overall platform growth.

However, risks exist: surveillance pricing could personalize product costs based on willingness to pay rather than value. Consumer privacy and choice are at stake.

OpenAI aims to generate $110 billion from non-paying users by 2030 via shopping, introducing the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP). Yet adoption is slow, and AI struggles with the “hidden rules” of human commerce, reducing conversion rates.

Experts suggest AI shopping may not fully replace e-commerce but coexist: AI excels at filtering vague needs, while traditional platforms remain superior for comparison and detailed decision-making.

Takeaway: AI is reshaping commerce, but consumers must safeguard their choice and privacy. True freedom in shopping means always having the right to say “no.”