Google revolutionizes online shopping with the new Universal Cart system

At the Google I/O conference on Tuesday, Google introduced the Universal Cart agent, allowing users to manage all online purchases in one place. The tech giant also announced updates to the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), revealing plans to integrate AI agents capable of making payments on behalf of users in the coming months. This move marks Google's strategy to transform AI assistants from simple recommendation tools into active shopping participants, reports Techcrunch.com. reports .

With Universal Cart, users can add products found via Google Search, Gemini interactions, YouTube, or Gmail to a single cart. The system automatically tracks discounts, notifies users of price drops, and alerts them when items are back in stock. This feature is designed to accommodate shopping habits that span multiple devices and stores over several days.

AI also helps shoppers make informed decisions. For example, if a user is building a PC, Universal Cart checks the compatibility of parts selected from different stores and suggests alternatives if errors occur. Additionally, thanks to integration with Google Wallet, travelers and loyalty program members can maximize hidden discounts and points.

Thanks to Google's open-standard Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), users can complete payments directly through Google or by navigating to the merchant's site. Universal Cart has launched in the US and will be added to the Gemini app this summer, followed by YouTube and Gmail. The UCP system is also expected to expand into new sectors like hotels and food delivery.

One of the most significant industry innovations, the AP2 protocol, allows AI agents to securely make payments on behalf of users within set limits. Users can define preferred brands, products, and spending caps. Once these conditions are met, the agent automatically completes the purchase.