Google Launches AI Shopping While World Labs Raises $230 Million

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Google is significantly expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly in online shopping, with new features rolling out across its Search AI Mode and Gemini app for the holiday season. These updates enable conversational shopping, allowing users to describe desired items in natural language and receive tailored results from Google's extensive Shopping Graph, which includes over 50 billion product listings. A new 'agentic checkout' feature can track product prices and, with user permission, automatically purchase items using Google Pay when they reach a desired price at participating retailers like Wayfair and Chewy. Additionally, Google's updated Duplex AI powers a 'Let Google Call' feature, which contacts local stores to check product availability and sales, then sends users summaries via email or text. While AI Mode in Search will include sponsored listings, the Gemini app currently offers ad-free shopping features for US users. Some critics, however, suggest these tools might benefit businesses more by reducing friction in consumer spending. Beyond shopping, Google also introduced Private AI Compute, a cloud-based platform designed to process AI tasks using its Gemini models while ensuring robust user privacy. This system aims to offer the security of on-device processing with the power of cloud computing, utilizing Trusted Execution Environments and confidential computing, a concept similar to Apple's Private Cloud Compute, to encrypt memory and isolate workloads. Google provides cryptographic verification for independent audits, promoting transparency. Meanwhile, AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li's startup, World Labs, is making strides in simulating reality with its new generative AI model, Marble. Founded in 2024 and backed by an impressive $230 million, World Labs aims to develop AI that understands the physical world through spatial intelligence. Marble, now publicly available, creates 3D worlds from text or images and is already being used by filmmakers, game designers, and architects. While tests show its potential in inferring 3D spaces, it still faces challenges with fine details and precise spatial reasoning. In other AI developments, Salesforce reports that 91% of small and medium businesses using AI are seeing a boost in revenue, leveraging affordable AI tools for stock management, customer attraction, and marketing content generation. The intense competition for AI talent is evident as AI coding startup Cursor acquired Growth by Design, a firm known for recruiting talent for startups, including OpenAI. Red Hat also released OpenShift 4.20, enhancing its Kubernetes-based cloud platform for AI workloads and security. Furthermore, BRYGE AI received a Silver Stevie Award for its ADHD communication assistant, and the global AI market is predicted to grow significantly, according to Accel partner Philippe Botteri.

Key Takeaways

Google launched new AI shopping features in its Search AI Mode and Gemini app, including conversational shopping and 'agentic checkout' for automatic purchases with Google Pay.
Google's 'Let Google Call' feature, powered by Duplex AI, can contact local stores to check product availability and sales.
Google introduced Private AI Compute, a cloud platform using Gemini models that ensures user privacy through confidential computing, similar to Apple's Private Cloud Compute.
Fei-Fei Li's startup, World Labs, secured $230 million in funding and launched Marble, a generative AI model for creating 3D worlds.
Marble, World Labs' first commercial product, aims to help AI understand the physical world and is used by creators in film, gaming, and architecture.
A Salesforce report indicates that 91% of small and medium businesses utilizing AI are experiencing increased revenue.
AI coding startup Cursor acquired Growth by Design, a talent recruiting firm that previously worked with OpenAI, highlighting the competitive AI talent market.
Red Hat released OpenShift 4.20, enhancing its cloud platform for AI workloads and security with features like mutual TLS and Arm support.
BRYGE AI, an ADHD communication assistant, won a Silver Stevie Award for its empathy-driven design.
The global AI market is projected for significant growth in spending and startup valuation, according to Accel partner Philippe Botteri.

Google launches AI shopping tools and automatic checkout

Google introduces new AI shopping features in AI Mode search and the Gemini app for the holiday season. Users can now shop conversationally and get tailored responses with product details, reviews, and inventory. A new "agentic checkout" feature allows automatic purchases with Google Pay when prices drop at select retailers like Wayfair and Chewy. Google's updated Duplex AI can also call stores to check product availability and send users summaries via email or text.

Google AI helps with holiday shopping and store calls

Google is upgrading its Search AI Mode and Gemini app with new shopping features for the holiday season in the US. The Gemini app now displays product listings and comparisons without ads. Google Search's AI Mode offers detailed shopping information, including prices and reviews, and will include sponsored listings. A new "Let Google Call" feature allows Google AI to contact local stores to check product availability and send users text or email summaries. Additionally, agentic AI can track product prices and automatically buy items when they reach a desired price.

Google AI acts as personal shopper for calls and purchases

Google is adding new AI features to online shopping, allowing users to browse, compare, and buy products more easily. AI Mode in Google Search now offers conversational shopping, letting users describe items in detail and receive tailored results from 50 billion product listings. This mode will include sponsored listings, and similar shopping features are coming to the Gemini app for US users. A new "Let Google Call" AI feature can contact local stores to check product availability and sales, sending users a summary. Google also introduced "agentic checkout," which can automatically purchase items using Google Pay when prices drop at participating retailers like Wayfair and Chewy.

Google enhances AI shopping with new smart tools

Google is launching several AI shopping updates for the holiday season, including conversational shopping in Google Search's AI Mode. This feature allows users to ask questions using natural language and receive tailored responses with visuals, prices, reviews, and inventory information from Google's Shopping Graph. The Gemini app also gains new shopping capabilities for US users, without ads for now. Google is rolling out "agentic checkout" in the US, enabling AI to track product prices and, with user permission, automatically purchase items using Google Pay when prices drop at stores like Wayfair and Chewy. Additionally, an AI tool built on Duplex technology can call local businesses to check product availability and promotions.

Google introduces AI vibe shopping for Black Friday

Google unveiled new AI-powered "vibe-shopping" tools for Google Search and AI Mode, just in time for Black Friday. AI Mode now lets users search using natural language, providing rich visuals, prices, reviews, and inventory details from Google's Shopping Graph. While AI Mode will show ads, the Gemini app offers ad-free shopping features for US users. Google also introduced AI agentic experiences, allowing the AI to track product prices and automatically buy items when they reach a desired price. Furthermore, a "Let Google Call" feature, powered by Duplex technology, can contact nearby stores to check product availability and send users updates via text or email.

Google Search becomes AI personal shopper

Google is transforming its Search and Gemini app into a personal shopper with new AI features for the holiday season. Google Search's AI Mode, powered by Gemini models and the Shopping Graph, now allows users to describe their shopping needs in everyday language and receive tailored product suggestions and comparisons. The Gemini app also expands its shopping capabilities, enabling users to plan and shop within the same conversation. Additionally, Google introduced "agentic AI" features, including automatic price tracking and "agentic checkout," which can purchase items using Google Pay once they reach a user's desired price. This AI can also call stores to check product availability.

Google AI Mode acts as virtual shopping assistant

Google is enhancing its AI Mode and Gemini app to function as virtual sales associates for holiday shopping. These tools now directly link users to products, drawing data from Google's vast Shopping Graph of 50 billion items. Users can ask follow-up questions and compare products, making gift shopping easier with natural language searches. While the AI works well for specific product queries, some tests showed it struggled to provide product links for broader gift ideas or general advice. Google aims to combine AI's conversational abilities with product information, using data from sources like Reddit and website reviews, to offer a comprehensive shopping experience.

Google AI shopping benefits businesses more than users

Google introduced three new AI shopping features designed to streamline the buying process, but some argue these tools benefit businesses more than consumers. The features include conversational shopping in AI Mode, an AI that calls stores to check stock, and "agentic checkout" for automatic purchases. While these tools offer convenience, critics suggest they reduce friction in spending and might encourage quick purchases without thorough research. The author expresses concern about AI making robocalls to businesses and spending money automatically. Ultimately, these AI advancements aim to boost clickthrough rates and ad revenue for Google and its partners, potentially at the expense of consumer skepticism and informed decision-making.

Google AI simplifies holiday shopping tasks

Google is launching a major AI shopping update across its platforms, using AI and agentic technology to simplify holiday shopping. AI Mode in Search now offers conversational shopping, allowing users to ask questions in natural language and receive tailored responses with visuals, prices, reviews, and inventory details from the Shopping Graph. The Gemini app also gains new shopping features. Google's "Let Google Call" agentic AI can find products in stock nearby by calling stores to check availability, cost, and promotions, then sending users an email or text summary. Additionally, "agentic checkout" enables AI to track prices and, with user permission, automatically purchase items using Google Pay when prices drop at participating retailers like Wayfair and Chewy.

Google launches AI agents for shopping and store calls

Google is introducing new AI agentic features for holiday shopping, including automatic checkout and AI calling services. A new AI calling feature allows Google to contact local stores to check product inventory and pricing on behalf of users. Conversational shopping is also enhanced in Google Search and the Gemini app, powered by over 50 billion product listings. The "agentic checkout" feature lets Google offer to complete purchases and, with user permission, automatically buy items using Google Pay at participating retailers like Wayfair and Chewy. These features are rolling out now in the US, aiming to simplify shopping and compete with other e-commerce giants.

Google releases AI shopping bots that call and buy

Google is launching autonomous AI shopping agents that can call stores and make purchases for users. The "agentic checkout" feature allows AI to track product prices and automatically buy items using Google Pay when they reach a desired price. Building on Duplex technology, a new AI calling feature can contact local businesses to check product availability, pricing, and promotions. Users can access these tools through AI Mode in Google Search, which offers conversational search using natural language and provides visual results with real-time inventory data from the Shopping Graph. These features are strategically rolling out before the holiday season, aiming to simplify shopping and enhance Google's role in e-commerce.

AI world models aim to simulate reality

AI research is shifting towards developing "world models" that can simulate reality, moving beyond language and image generation. Fei-Fei Li, a pioneer in AI, emphasizes that these models are crucial for building AI that understands the physical world. A test with World Labs' Marble model, which recreated Van Gogh's "The Bedroom" in 3D, showed both potential and limitations. While Marble successfully inferred a plausible 3D space and predicted unseen elements, it struggled with maintaining fine details, logical object permanence, and precise spatial reasoning. Building effective world models presents significant technical challenges, requiring vast data and understanding of causal relationships, and their real-world application demands rigorous testing due to inherent risks.

World Labs launches Marble for 3D AI world generation

World Labs, co-founded by AI pioneer Dr. Fei-Fei Li, is focusing on "world generation" as the next major AI frontier. The company, founded in 2024 and backed by $230 million, recently released its first commercial product called Marble. Marble is a generative AI model designed to perceive, generate, reason, and interact with 3D environments. It offers various subscription tiers, allowing users to create and edit virtual worlds, with downloaded files compatible with tools like Unreal Engine. Dr. Li believes Marble will empower creators in fields like writing, VFX, and architecture to build spaces beyond human imagination.

Fei-Fei Li's World Labs launches 3D AI model Marble

Fei-Fei Li's startup, World Labs, has unveiled Marble, its first product, a generative AI model that creates 3D worlds from text or images. Marble is central to Li's vision of developing AI that understands the physical world through spatial intelligence. World Labs, which raised $230 million from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, aims to teach AI physical concepts humans intuitively grasp. Marble, now publicly available after beta, allows users to create and merge virtual environments with editing tools. The technology is already being used by filmmakers, game designers, and architects, with future applications expected in robotics, science, healthcare, and education.

Google launches Private AI Compute for secure cloud AI

Google has introduced Private AI Compute, a new cloud-based platform designed to process AI tasks using its Gemini models while protecting user privacy. This system aims to offer the same strong security and privacy as on-device processing, but with the enhanced power of cloud computing. It allows AI tools to access advanced reasoning capabilities without exposing user data to external parties. Private AI Compute uses Trusted Execution Environments and confidential computing, similar to Apple's Private Cloud Compute, to encrypt memory and isolate workloads. Google is also providing cryptographic verification and attestation data for independent audits, promoting transparency and trust in its secure cloud AI approach.

Google introduces Private AI Compute for data privacy

Google has launched Private AI Compute, a new system that provides powerful cloud AI while ensuring user data remains completely private. This technology allows advanced AI features to run faster and smarter without compromising user confidentiality, even from Google itself. It is built on Google's infrastructure using custom Tensor Processing Units and Titanium Intelligence Enclaves, which create secure hardware-based isolation environments. The system employs multi-layered security, including remote attestation, end-to-end encryption, and ephemeral processing, meaning data is discarded after each session. An independent security assessment by NCC Group confirmed that Private AI Compute effectively protects data confidentiality.

Red Hat OpenShift 4.20 enhances AI and security

Red Hat released OpenShift 4.20 on November 11, a Kubernetes-based cloud application platform. This new version aims to make complex AI workloads run more smoothly and improves security. It adds initial support for mutual TLS to secure traffic between control-plane components. OpenShift 4.20 also includes CPU load-aware rebalancing and Arm support, which helps virtualized workloads perform better and use resources more efficiently. Additionally, it expands hybrid cloud capabilities by bringing Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization to bare-metal deployments.

AI brings changes to online dating apps

Online dating apps are seeing fewer users and are now looking to artificial intelligence for help. AI technology might assist people in finding better matches. However, there is a concern that using AI could make the experience of finding romance feel less human.

BRYGE AI wins award for ADHD communication tool

BRYGE AI, an ADHD communication assistant, received the Silver Stevie Award for Best Health Tech Product for Women at the 2025 Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Developed by Rebecca Koniahgari, this AI tool helps neurotypicals communicate more clearly and compassionately with individuals who have ADHD. It rewrites messages to be ADHD-aware and emotionally intelligent, reducing anxiety and miscommunication. Judges praised BRYGE AI for its innovative, empathy-driven design and its positive real-world impact on relationships, classrooms, and workplaces. The award highlights the growing need for technology that supports mental wellness and communication challenges faced by women with ADHD.

AI boosts festive sales for small local shops

Artificial intelligence is now helping small, independent retailers increase their sales during the busy holiday season. AI tools, once only for large brands, are now affordable and help local shops attract more customers, manage stock, and make smarter decisions. A Salesforce report shows that 91% of small and medium businesses using AI see a boost in revenue. AI-powered analytics can forecast best-selling products and identify trends, while location-based AI targets local customers with personalized offers. In-store experiences improve with AI chatbots and digital kiosks, and generative AI can quickly create marketing content. This allows shop owners to focus on customer service while AI handles repetitive tasks.

AI coding startup Cursor acquires talent recruiting firm

Cursor, a rapidly growing AI coding startup, is acquiring Growth by Design, a firm known for helping startups, including OpenAI, recruit talent. This acquisition highlights the intense competition for top AI researchers and skilled software engineers in the tech industry. Cursor, launched in 2023, has quickly gained popularity for its AI-infused coding software and is rapidly expanding its team, now with over 300 employees. Growth by Design, founded in 2019, has worked with over 500 tech companies, increasingly focusing on AI firms. Co-founder Mike Joyner will join Cursor, while Jill Macri will not.

Accel partner predicts AI market will grow

Philippe Botteri, a partner at the venture firm Accel, believes the global AI market has significant room for growth. He discussed Accel's latest report on the AI industry, stating that spending on artificial intelligence and the value of AI startups are expected to increase even further.

Peer To Peer Network tests new AI product suite

Peer To Peer Network, Inc. announced that its new AI division, Intelligence Labs, has installed several parts of its new AI product suite on the company's website, www.PTOPnetwork.com, for live testing. This first phase includes tools for identifying anonymous website visitors and segmenting their data. It also features automated lead sequencing and personalized outbound messages. These new AI features are designed to operate independently.