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… inseparable,” Yang said. “The cuts of beef used in Haidilao hotpot and those for grilling are completely different. In the past, we’d negotiate on one or two cuts—now we discuss prices for the whole cow.”
Yang, a serial entrepreneur within Haidilao, previously managed Wugu Sancan before shifting to barbecue with Yanqing. She found herself better suited for high-end offerings, where customer interactions are more personal and emotionally engaging. Now, she works closely with the store managers under her wing, many of whom have followed her across different ventures.
At the end of December 2024, Haidilao held its first offline preparatory conference for the Pomegranate Plan in Wuxi. The event saw an overwhelming response—Yang alone received 200 applications from aspiring multi-store managers. After a rigorous selection process, she certified more than 160 of them, officially elevating them to “reserve multi-store managers."
“Talent is the one problem you can’t just solve with money,” Yang said. “That’s the core issue.”
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3140471061912327">article</a> was written by Yang Yafei for 36Kr.

Haidilao’s next big bet? Turning store managers into entrepreneurs

Consumer Services

… href="https://36kr.com/p/3160609616370181">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://ultrarisc.com/en">UltraRISC Technology</a>, a CPU chip developer, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A1 round of financing led by Hongtai Aplus, with participation from Longding Capital, Sanhe Capital, and other investors. Deep Blue Partners acted as the financial advisor. The funds will be used for the R&amp;D and commercialization of high-performance CPUs based on the RISC-V architecture, targeting applications in edge computing, internet-of-things, industrial control, and cloud computing. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3160634629282567">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://www.deal-risk.com/">DealRisk</a>, a fintech company focused on financial AI models and measurement engines, has completed its pre-Series A funding round. The investment amount was not disclosed. The round was backed by SBI China and Shanghai SBI-INESA Equity Investment Management, a subsidiary of INESA Group. Founded in 2020, the company specializes in addressing bottlenecks in the financial services industry. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3160409137371652">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://www.regend.cn/">Regend Therapeutics</a>, a biotech firm specializing in regenerative medicine, has secured an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series B+ funding round. FIRHealth Capital was the sole investor. The proceeds will support the clinical development and regulatory approval of its stem cell-based organ regeneration treatments. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3156319089908231">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.stairmed.com/en">StairMed</a>, a neurotechnology firm developing implantable brain-computer interfaces, has closed a RMB 350 million (USD 49 million) Series B funding round. The round was co-led by Qiming Venture Partners, OrbiMed, Lilly Asia Ventures, and other investors. Early-stage backer Source Code Capital participated as a follow-on investor. The capital will be deployed toward clinical trials, next-generation technology R&amp;D, and the establishment of a production facility for medical-grade microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3157604001765888">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://ascentstream.com/">AscentStream</a>, the operator of an open-source messaging and streaming platform, has raised tens of millions of RMB in an angel round of financing. Northern Light Venture Capital led the investment, with participation from Huatai Innovation Investment. AscentStream will utilize the funds to expand its community, enhance product development, and accelerate commercialization efforts for its solutions. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3156292911962627">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Syfe, SoftBank, Qeen.ai, and more made recent headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Syfe, a savings and investment platform in the Asia Pacific, submitted a non-binding indicative offer to acquire Selfwealth, one of Australia’s publicly listed investment platforms, for AUD 65 million (USD 40.8 million) in cash.</li>
<li aria-level="1">SoftBank Group, Japan’s preeminent global investor, could acquire Ampere Computing, a chip design company backed by Oracle, in a deal that could value Ampere at USD 6.5 billion, including debt.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.qeen.ai/">Qeen.ai</a>, a Dubai-based provider of agentic AI solutions for e-commerce businesses, raised USD 10 million in a seed funding round led by Prosus Ventures, with participation from Wamda Capital, 10x Founders, and Dara Holdings.</li>
</ul>
If there are any news or updates you'd like us to feature, get in touch with us at: <a href="mailto:hello@kr-asia.com">hello@kr-asia.com</a>.
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Deals in brief: Elon Musk leads consortium bid for OpenAI, East Ventures and SV Investment close first round of joint fund, Payd and Liquid8 secure funding, and more

OpenAI

Venture Capital

Private Equity

Investment

Merger &amp; Acquisition

Singapore

Malaysia

Indonesia

India

… can't do the investment then because it's Chinese-controlled," said Morrison Foerster's Ellis. But investment objectives, locations, and whether the manager has China government contracts are all considered by investors and target investment authorities, she added.
Samson Lo, Asia Pacific co-head of mergers and acquisitions at UBS, said he sees a growing trend of Chinese private investment managers opening offices in Japan or South Korea and looking proactively for Southeast Asian companies. But some are staying under the radar for "various reasons," Lo said, when asked by Nikkei Asia how Chinese managers facing geopolitical risks are exploring such routes.
He said that over the past 12–18 months, besides looking at China deals, most of the China-background private equity funds have been asking "if there's any deal to look at in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia."
He suggested that their message is, "Don't think of us as only looking at China M&amp;A opportunities," adding that "there are growing inquiries on this."
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Finance/China-focused-private-equity-funds-widen-their-scope-under-pressure" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing <a tabindex="0" href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="3">partnership with Nikkei</a>.

China-focused private equity funds widen their scope under pressure

East Asia

HongShan

… Galbot and PaXini Technology.
Zhang told 36Kr that the security industry has experienced significant shifts in recent years, with growing demand for next-generation systems. Unlike passive security measures, which rely on reactive responses and are prone to blind spots, active security systems are emerging as the new standard.
By integrating sensors, large models, and multi-layered defense systems, GoMate security robots can autonomously patrol managed areas, analyze real-time environmental data using algorithms, identify abnormal behaviors or potential threats proactively, and implement appropriate safety measures.
<figure id="attachment_151968" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-151968" style="width: 720px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-151968" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GoMate-Security-1024x576.jpg" alt="Image shows a GoMate security robot in a simulated scenario." width="720" height="405" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GoMate-Security-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GoMate-Security-300x169.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GoMate-Security-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GoMate-Security-480x270.jpg 480w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GoMate-Security.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151968" class="wp-caption-text">Image shows a GoMate security robot in a simulated scenario. Image source: GAC.</figcaption></figure>
For instance, in areas with multiple stores that stock flammable or explosive materials, GoMate can intensify patrols of fire hydrants and other fire prevention equipment during dry weather. By incorporating data such as temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors, the robot can predict fire risks and help prevent potential incidents.
In addition, GoMate supports intelligent, multi-tiered defense capabilities. These include rapid authorization for smart wearable devices and seamless compatibility with artificial intelligence-integrated surveillance systems, smart gates, drones, and other technologies. For example, the robot’s dexterous hand can be replaced with tools like a shield or baton, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of security personnel.
Energy efficiency is another crucial feature. With the ability to operate for over six continuous hours, GoMate can switch to a four-wheel mode on flat terrain, allowing some motors to shut down autonomously. This reduces energy consumption by up to 80%, lowering operating costs and improving sustainability.
China’s smart security industry achieved an annual output value of approximately RMB 1.01 trillion (USD 140 billion) in 2023, reflecting a 6.8% year-over-year increase, according to data from Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network. By 2025, the market size for smart security hardware and software is projected to grow to RMB 91.3 billion (USD 12.8 billion).
“Security is a necessity. As users become increasingly concerned about safety and privacy, the growth potential for active security systems is accelerating. From a commercialization perspective, the constant demand for security in campuses and buildings provides a stable stream of early market orders,” Zhang said.
Currently, GAC is collaborating with leading security companies in Guangzhou to upgrade passive security systems into active defense solutions. Field training for GoMate is underway on GAC campuses, with external deployments planned after the product achieves greater stability. A formal launch is scheduled for later this year.
Beyond security, GAC aims to focus on other application areas, such as elderly care and after-sales automotive services, rather than prioritizing automotive manufacturing in the short term. For instance, GoMate could assist with guidance and customer service tasks at 4S dealerships, covering sales, spare parts, service, and surveys. In the future, GAC plans to explore additional applications in logistics, education, and other sectors.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3125344303224841">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

GAC’s new humanoid robot is skipping the factory floor—here’s why

Robotics

Deep Tech

Chinese startup <a href="/company/deepseek">DeepSeek's</a> feat in generative artificial intelligence development is changing market dynamics here as well, with software companies like NEC replacing hardware makers as the driving force of Japan's AI stocks.
DeepSeek's <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Artificial-intelligence/DeepSeek-crashes-Nvidia-stock-with-prospect-of-cheaper-AI">announcement last month</a> that it has developed advanced AI with less advanced and fewer chips has emboldened developers like startup Preferred Networks, one of Japan's leading AI companies.
"If talented engineers work on it for about six months to a year, even companies with few GPUs can imitate it," Daisuke Okanohara, Preferred Networks' chief executive researcher, said, referring to graphic processing units seen as crucial to generative AI development.
The stock market has also been sensing the change. Comparing February 5's stock prices to those on January 24, before DeepSeek's breakthrough became widely known, hardware-based companies like electric cable maker Fujikura and chip-testing equipment maker Advantest fell 14% and 16%, respectively.
Meanwhile, NEC rose 17% and Nomura Research Institute 15%. Both companies, which focus on AI software, ranked within the top five of the Nikkei Stock Average in terms of price increase over that span.
The trigger for the sharp rise in software stocks was their strong results, which a fund manager at Nikko Asset Management attributed to "the growing expectation that AI services will become more widespread due to the low costs demonstrated by DeepSeek."
The level of excitement seems more pronounced in Japan than in the US. Based on a simple calculation of software stock price changes from January 24, based on QUICK FactSet data, US stocks rose an average of 1% as of February 4, while Japanese stocks were up 8% as of February 5.
NEC is a prime example of those expectations. It is tenth in the world in papers submitted to prestigious international AI conferences.
The company is also developing and using cost-effective, high-performance AI models.
"We expect NEC's domestic AI services to become more widely used, boosting earnings," said Nissay Asset Management's Kosei Mikuni. Nissay has included NEC shares in its active funds as a top stock.
DeepSeek managed to develop an AI that appears to be on par with US competitors at a fraction of the cost, an ingenuity born out of US sanctions that prevented it from procuring cutting-edge chips.
Japan finds itself in a similar situation, though the circumstances are different—Japanese developers have trouble procuring cutting-edge GPUs due to lack of funding, not export restrictions.
Looking at sales ratio by region for Nvidia, the leader in advanced AI chips, for the February-October 2024 period, the US accounted for the largest portion with 45%, followed by Singapore with 19%, Taiwan with 17%, and China with 13%.
Japan barely registered as one of the many countries and regions accounting for the remaining 6%. NEC mainly uses Nvidia Blackwell generative AI products from two generations ago.
There is room for AI use in Japan to grow. The percentage of companies using generative AI is 84% in the US and 85% in China, while in Japan only 47% use the technology, according to JP Morgan.
This slow adoption also gives Japanese AI-related companies plenty of opportunities to grow earnings if usage becomes more widespread.
But for companies like Fujikura and Advantest, there are concerns declining demand for cables and equipment for data centers will hit them hard as AI competition shifts away from GPUs.
"In addition to the unknown impact of DeepSeek, price movements have become large, and AI-related stocks are increasingly seen as risky," said Rina Takeda, head of equity sales at Citigroup during a discussion with a hedge fund.
As several investors who had been bullish on data center and semiconductor stocks are considering reducing their holdings, she expects AI stocks to remain soft.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Artificial-intelligence/As-DeepSeek-inspires-AI-underdogs-Japan-software-stocks-surge">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

As DeepSeek inspires AI underdogs, Japan software stocks surge

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence

… model, as it is driven more by geopolitical tensions and luck.
Over time, Chinese platforms may adopt various compliance strategies to better grow their overseas presence, such as separating international and domestic brands, segmenting servers or implementing IP restrictions, she said.
"While there may be a brief honeymoon period between the two cultures, the reality of cultural clashes between China and the West is inevitable. In the future, differences in perspectives, cultural tensions and conflicting values around lifestyles are likely to become increasingly apparent among users from both countries," Hu added.
Questions have been raised about whether Xiaohongshu will launch a separate app to separate its Chinese and overseas users, but people close to the company told Nikkei that it does not currently have the capacity to do that. It would also be a risky move amid the present geopolitical tensions, they added.
"Xiaohongshu is an innovative platform without a direct US competitor, but I'm doubtful that the current buzz is sustainable," said Jacob Cooke, co-founder and CEO of Beijing-based e-commerce consultancy WPIC Marketing and Technologies.
"Xiaohongshu could potentially serve an unfilled market niche in the US, as no US platform so seamlessly blends user-generated content with recommendations as Xiaohongshu does in China. However, Xiaohongshu will need to significantly scale in the US, and user behavior will need to evolve before it can function as more than a TikTok substitute," he added.
And while Xiaohongshu has launched a translation function to facilitate communication between Chinese and English speakers, this method of interaction is not sustainable for most users, let alone creators who are not able to monetize their content in the same way as they can on TikTok, Plotnick said.
"It's not a short-term solution for them. There are some brands and creators, athletes, musicians, and celebrities who can benefit in the long term if they are willing to play by the rules, but for the average user, this is not a home, it's just a window," she added.
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Tech-Asia/TikTok-refugees-a-mixed-blessing-for-Chinese-app-Xiaohongshu" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing <a tabindex="0" href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="3">partnership with Nikkei</a>.

"TikTok refugees" a mixed blessing for Chinese app Xiaohongshu

ByteDance

TikTok

Xiaohongshu

Not many people know this, but <a href="/company/shopee">Shopee</a> sellers looking to expand beyond their home market used to face complex and time-consuming hurdles. Selling overseas required merchants to create and manage separate accounts for each target country, adding a logistical burden that hindered growth.
To address this challenge, Shopee introduced the Shopee International Platform (SIP) in 2018, offering an easier way for sellers to reach international buyers without the need to handle multiple storefronts. Instead, Shopee would take care of the operational complexities, including listings, pricing, logistics, and customer service.
Each country’s SIP rollout has been staggered, with different sellers gaining access to specific export markets depending on their home base:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">2018: Taiwan-based sellers started selling to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.</li>
<li aria-level="1">2019: Malaysia-based sellers gained access to Singapore.</li>
<li aria-level="1">2020: Indonesia joined the program, with sellers able to reach most ASEAN countries.</li>
<li aria-level="1">2021: Vietnamese sellers expanded into Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The Indonesia SIP was widened to serve Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia.</li>
<li aria-level="1">2022: Thailand’s SIP launch opened doors to Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan.</li>
<li aria-level="1">2023: Philippines-based sellers began exporting to Singapore and Malaysia. The Malaysia SIP commenced exports to Thailand and Chile.</li>
</ul>
The latest update to the program is the launch of the SIP in Singapore, allowing Singapore-based merchants to sell directly to buyers in Malaysia and Thailand. Plans are also underway to expand coverage to the Philippines, further strengthening Singapore’s access to Southeast Asia’s growing e-commerce landscape.
The launch follows a pilot phase that saw more than 8,000 Singapore sellers onboarded. Over three months, Shopee said orders and gross merchandise (GMV) surged by eight times, indicating strong demand and a positive impact on business growth. Among the sellers that have benefited are Global Pet Company, which expanded its pet food business without the overhead of a physical store, and Candy Cottage, a confectionery retailer that tapped into new customers abroad.
At its core, the SIP streamlines cross-border selling by allowing merchants to focus on their local shop, while Shopee automates the expansion process. Once a seller’s products are listed, Shopee manages pricing adjustments, shipping, customer inquiries, and even promotions for overseas markets. Sellers only need to fulfill orders to Shopee’s local warehouse, with Shopee handling the rest.
With SIP, Shopee aims to offer a hybrid approach to cross-border e-commerce, combining seller autonomy with regional support. As more markets are integrated, the platform continues to evolve as a scalable model for international expansion in Southeast Asia.

Shopee expands cross-border program to help Singapore sellers go regional

Sea Group

Shopee

On-demand Services

E-commerce

In the span of a month, <a href="/company/deepseek">DeepSeek</a> has gone from an obscure venture to a global sensation, upending Silicon Valley’s hierarchy in the artificial intelligence race and sparking a regulatory firestorm. The company’s open-source V3 and R1 models, launched in January, have fueled an adoption surge that is already forcing industry heavyweights—and governments—to take notice.
Yet, as with any disruptive force, DeepSeek’s ascent has come with baggage. Governments are launching investigations, security researchers are raising red flags, and lawmakers in the US are debating whether DeepSeek should even be available to the public.
DeepSeek’s namesake AI assistant debuted publicly on January 11 as a free app, and the numbers since have been staggering.
According to data from <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/lWbzaiIm8hRMu9xgy5NFKg">Aicpb.com</a>, a platform tracking global AI adoption, DeepSeek averaged 22.2 million daily active users (DAUs) in January—equivalent to roughly 41.6% of ChatGPT’s DAUs (53.2 million). DeepSeek has also overtaken ByteDance’s Doubao, another Chinese AI assistant that managed about 17 million DAUs during the same period.
DeepSeek’s first 20 days post-launch have left an impression, averaging 21.6 million DAUs—surpassing ChatGPT’s 14.6 million in the same period.
DeepSeek’s monthly active users (MAUs) reached 33.7 million, making it the fourth most used AI app globally, behind ChatGPT (349.4 million), Doubao (78.6 million), and Nova (56.6 million), a proofreading AI tool.
Aicpb.com’s tally accounts only for (mobile) app usage and omits web users.
As of end-January, the DeepSeek app ranked first in 157 countries and regions on the iOS App Store. The top five countries where the app has gained the most traction are China (30.7%), India (13.6%), Indonesia (6.9%), the US (4.3%), and France (3.2%).
The sheer velocity of DeepSeek’s expansion has prompted swift responses from governments worldwide, with some already initiating probes, imposing restrictions, or outright banning the app.
In Europe, Italy was the first to launch an investigation, quickly followed by France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK. Outside of Europe, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, and—most significantly—the US have all moved to curb or scrutinize DeepSeek’s operations.
While US consumers still have access to DeepSeek, federal agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the US Navy have warned employees against using the app on government devices. Legislators, meanwhile, are weighing an outright ban.
The current proposal comes from US senator Josh Hawley, who introduced a bill that would criminalize the import and export of AI products between the US and China. If passed, the law could punish individuals who knowingly download Chinese AI technology, including DeepSeek, with up to 20 years in prison or a USD 1 million fine—or both.
The crackdown mirrors the US government’s handling of TikTok, which faced a Supreme Court-backed ban that was only halted following direct intervention from Donald Trump, who recently returned to the White House for his second presidential stint. DeepSeek, however, may face an even steeper uphill battle, given the national security implications of AI technology.
whereRelatedArticle
The fear surrounding DeepSeek isn’t entirely unfounded. Since its launch, security researchers have uncovered troubling vulnerabilities in its infrastructure.
One of the most damning findings came from <a href="https://www.wiz.io/blog/wiz-research-uncovers-exposed-deepseek-database-leak">Wiz Research</a>, which reported that it had accessed a publicly exposed database belonging to DeepSeek. The database contained over a million lines of log streams, including chat histories, secret keys, backend details, and other sensitive information. The database reportedly allowed full control over operations, meaning anyone who discovered the exposure could manipulate DeepSeek’s internal data. DeepSeek patched the vulnerability after being notified.
Despite the regulatory storm, industry leaders have responded to DeepSeek’s emergence with measured optimism. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, speaking in Tokyo on February 3, acknowledged DeepSeek’s capabilities but said he remains confident in his company’s lead:
<blockquote>“DeepSeek is certainly an impressive model, but we believe we will continue to push the frontier and deliver great products, so we’re happy to have another competitor, … We’ve had many before, and I think it is in everyone’s interest for us to push ahead and continue to lead.”</blockquote>
DeepSeek’s breakneck rise presents a paradox: it is both the biggest success story in open-source AI to date, and the fastest-growing regulatory headache for governments worldwide.
Yet, from a user perspective, DeepSeek’s popularity speaks to a hunger for powerful AI models, regardless of where and how they are made. With 70% of its users outside China, the app has demonstrated broad global appeal even as governments scramble to decide their next move.

DeepSeek hit 33.7 million users in January—but is a crackdown imminent?

… algorithms to improve business performance may face disruption as independent AI agents reduce their influence over consumer choices.
Another possible outcome is that every app or platform could eventually be powered by its own AI agent. While still speculative, AI agents could evolve to network and coordinate with one another, enabling dynamic and complex interactions across multiple systems.
This would mark a significant update from current models. OpenAI’s Operator, for instance, is (currently) designed to interact with existing platforms through a browser interface. Future AI agents, however, could be capable of planning and synchronizing actions across robots, agents, users, and systems.
In the context of e-commerce, consider how this progression might unfold:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">AI assistants (current): These AI-powered tools assist users in product discovery, price comparisons, and recommendations within the platforms they are embedded in.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Platform-specific AI agents: These agents help users track and make purchase decisions within a specific platform, learning from explicit user input and behavior as well as backend data collected and analyzed by the platform.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Independent AI agents: These agents operate across multiple platforms, tracking products and making purchase decisions based on predefined user preferences. However, their capabilities may be constrained by the framework established by their provider. For example, OpenAI’s Operator interacts with browser screens but may lack access to backend data that platform-specific agents can leverage.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Future AI agents: Every digital touchpoint—retail sites, logistics providers, payment gateways—could be fronted by AI agents capable of communicating with each other. These AI agents wouldn’t just retrieve data but could dynamically negotiate, plan, and execute transactions based on user-defined goals.</li>
</ol>
<h3>The future of commerce: Fully automated, or human in the loop?</h3>
Agentic commerce will likely streamline routine shopping, but will humans be entirely removed from the process? Not necessarily.
Everyday essentials like groceries and household supplies are well-suited for full automation. AI agents can monitor inventory, track price fluctuations, and make purchases at optimal moments—removing the need for manual oversight.
On the other hand, high-value or experience-driven purchases—such as cars, luxury goods, and fashion items—are less likely to be entirely delegated to AI. While agentic AI can streamline research, facilitate comparison shopping, and even assist in negotiations, the final decision will likely remain with the human buyer, where personal preference and tactile experience play a crucial role.
After all, would you trust an AI agent to pick your next car or luxury handbag based purely on past data and algorithmic predictions?
<h3>Risks and challenges of agentic commerce</h3>
Despite its promise, agentic AI presents serious challenges that must be addressed before it reaches mass adoption:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Trust and reliability: AI agents will need near-perfect accuracy in decision-making. The risks of purchasing the wrong item, misunderstanding a user's intent, or making unauthorized purchases could erode consumer trust.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ethical and security concerns: Delegating financial authority to an AI raises concerns about fraud, unintended purchases, and misuse of personal data. How do users retain control over autonomous systems acting on their behalf?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Business model disruption: If AI agents optimize purely for price and efficiency, what happens to brand loyalty, advertising, and retailer-driven engagement? Businesses may have to rethink how they engage customers.</li>
</ul>
Agentic commerce is on the horizon, and OpenAI’s Operator is a significant step toward making it real. As AI agents become more capable, shopping is expected to shift from a manual, decision-heavy process to an optimized and more automatic experience.
Still, the transition won’t happen overnight. Retailers, AI developers, and regulators will need to collaborate on guardrails that ensure transparency, security, and user control.
For now, we stand at a tipping point: the shopping cart is still in your hands—but maybe not for much longer.

Agentic commerce is near: AI could soon turn into your personal shopper