Google's Universal Commerce Protocol aims to make shopping AI-native
14 pointsby kddsingha month ago8 comments
  • cjs_aca month ago
    As someone who doesn't really use AI, this could still be really useful, because it would make it much easier to create product search engines - a sort of DIY, ad-hoc Amazon for whatever product you're trying to buy.
    • bestouff23 days ago
      Dont dream. Even if this project is successful, the protocol may be open but the API keys will only be available to Google, OpenAI & co through complicated deals. You'll never be able to use them.
  • aerzena month ago
    A good idea in theory. When I was at uni, i designed a protocol for that, with the vision of having individual stores, "commerce article aggregators", and user apps that can query either stores directly or aggregators, all using the same interface, same user preferences and filters.
  • greatgiba month ago
    Soon taking 30% of your commercial transaction I comes just because they can...
  • 2OEH8eoCRo0a month ago
    If AI is so smart why does it require special APIs for it to use?
    • andy12_a month ago
      Is it that weird that AI agents (and arguably also humans) are faster and more efficient to use if standardized APIs/UIs are available?
  • deepfriedchokes25 days ago
    Won’t this destroy any small seller who can’t compete on price?
    • dakial124 days ago
      Not necessarily as gemini might take other variables in consideration. But it certainly will make a lot of intermediaries (between brands and consumers) suffer. This is a huge threat for Amazon.
  • dvha month ago
    Is "AI" new "Blockchain"?
    • aurareturna month ago
      Is [insert new tech] the new "Blockchain"?
  • freakynita month ago
    Hell naah... yet another attempt to create yet another walled garden. We've seen enough now.
    • aurareturna month ago
      This will create less of a walled garden.
      • freakynit25 days ago
        Nop.. look at the initiators who will "call" this protocol to initiate a transaction. It's exactly the same play as Apple Pay or Google Pay. Initially framed as helpful and open, until the momentum builds up and companies are dependent, then switch it to squeeze more and more of transactions.
      • Eddy_Viscosity2a month ago
        It will make a different walled garden. The walls will be made of fees.