Google has announced a major step toward AI-driven shopping with the launch of its AI Mode Checkout Protocol and Business Agent, enabling AI to guide users from product discovery all the way to purchase without leaving Search or Gemini. Built on the new Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), this system allows AI agents to access real-time product data, pricing, availability and complete checkout using supported payment methods. At the same time, Business Agent lets brands deploy an AI-powered, on-brand assistant directly in search results to answer questions, recommend products and eventually drive conversions. Together, these updates signal Google’s move toward agentic commerce, where AI doesn’t just inform decisions, but actively completes transactions for users.