Copilot Just Bought Something 🤖🛒🤯

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Microsoft’s Copilot Gets a Shop-in-Chat Upgrade
Microsoft is integrating a groundbreaking new feature into Copilot, allowing users to seamlessly make purchases directly through conversations with the AI chatbot. This move represents a significant shift towards AI-powered shopping experiences.

AI-Powered Shopping: A Conversation Starter
The new functionality allows Copilot to directly surface checkout options within the app, mirroring real-world shopping scenarios. For instance, if a user requests sneaker recommendations, Copilot can immediately present a purchase option. Microsoft demonstrated this with a user requesting a small lamp for their bedside table; Copilot responded with a recommendation and a “Details” button, culminating in a “Buy” option.

Streamlined Purchasing Process – No Website Navigation Needed
Clicking the “Buy” button initiates a checkout screen, where users can input shipping and payment details and complete their purchase, all without ever needing to navigate to the retailer’s website. This integrated approach significantly reduces friction in the buying process, a common goal in e-commerce.

Following the Trend: AI Agents Facilitate Purchases
Microsoft’s move closely follows similar developments by competitors like OpenAI, which recently launched an integrated checkout feature within ChatGPT, and Google, which has implemented agentic checkout in Search and AI Mode. Perplexity’s AI-powered browser and chatbot also offer product-buying assistance, reflecting a broader trend.

Amazon Expresses Concerns – A Competitive Landscape
The rise of AI-powered agents for purchasing has raised concerns among industry giants, notably Amazon, highlighting the competitive landscape emerging around this technology.

Pilot Program Launches – Retail Partnerships Solidified
Currently, Microsoft is rolling out in-chat checkouts on Copilot.com in the United States. The feature is being piloted with select retailers, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Ashley Furniture, and a number of Etsy sellers.

Secure Payments Through Strategic Collaborations
To ensure seamless transactions, Microsoft is collaborating with key payment processors like PayPal, Stripe, and Shopify, demonstrating a commitment to secure and reliable payment processing for this innovative new capability.

This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.