Stay Ahead of the Curve
Latest AI news, expert analysis, bold opinions, and key trends — delivered to your inbox.
OpenAI Brings Shopping to ChatGPT: Direct Purchases Now Possible
3 min read OpenAI just turned ChatGPT into a storefront. You can now buy products directly in chat—no tabs, no checkout detours. Seamless shopping or AI-controlled consumer funnel? September 30, 2025 22:47
OpenAI just flipped the switch on a feature that could change how we shop online: direct purchasing inside ChatGPT.
Here’s how it works: Instead of just getting recommendations or product links, users can now buy things directly through ChatGPT—no extra tabs, no checkout detours. Think of it like Amazon meets a personal AI assistant.
Why this matters:
-
Pros: This could streamline e-commerce. Imagine asking, “Find me a pair of noise-cancelling headphones under $200” and buying them instantly in the chat. For small businesses, it could mean a new sales channel powered by AI discovery instead of ads and search.
-
Cons: It raises big questions about trust and influence. If ChatGPT suggests a product, is it the “best” choice or the one paying for placement? And how do users know they’re getting fair pricing in a closed ecosystem?
Bigger picture: OpenAI is no longer just a research lab—it’s building a commerce layer for the internet. By fusing conversation with checkout, they’re positioning ChatGPT as both the shopping assistant and the storefront. If it takes off, search engines and traditional marketplaces could feel the squeeze.
Hot take: We might be witnessing the birth of “conversational commerce 2.0”—a future where you don’t browse or scroll, you just ask and buy. But the risk? If OpenAI controls the funnel, it also controls consumer choice.
AI Agents