Investing.com -- Shopify Inc (NASDAQ:SHOP) shares climbed 2.2%Wednesday after reports surfaced that OpenAI plans to incorporate a native checkout system into its ChatGPT platform, with the Canadian e-commerce company expected to serve as a key partner. The move could mark a major advance in the convergence of artificial intelligence and retail by enabling users to complete transactions directly within an AI chatbot.
The Financial Times reported that sources familiar with the plans described OpenAI’s intent to monetize ChatGPT by charging merchants commissions for purchases made within the platform. Shopify, which partnered with OpenAI in April, is expected to supply the core commerce infrastructure that would enable real-time purchase flow inside conversational interfaces.
Shopify already has experience embedding checkout services on social platforms like TikTok and could extend that expertise to a rapidly scaling AI interface. Early versions of the chatbot-enabled purchase experience have reportedly been shown to brands, with discussions around commercial terms underway.
The collaboration represents a strategic threat to traditional search-and-buy experiences, such as those offered by Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL). As users increasingly turn to generative AI for product discovery, integrating transaction capabilities directly within ChatGPT could reshape the consumer journey from interest to purchase.
For OpenAI, the integration offers a pathway to commercialize usage of ChatGPT beyond its current premium subscriptions. By drawing transaction-based fees from merchants, it could tap into a broader digital commerce market, particularly among users utilizing the free version of the AI tool.
This development aligns with broader trends of digital platforms seeking new revenue streams amid rising operational costs and investor pressure for monetization. As AI becomes more central to discovery and decision-making, companies with scalable e-commerce infrastructure, like Shopify, are likely to benefit from early-mover advantages.
The market’s favorable response reflects optimism that Shopify can adapt its checkout capabilities to emerging environments and channels. Embedding shopping directly within an AI platform could accelerate adoption of conversational commerce while cementing Shopify’s role as a foundational layer in the evolving digital economy.
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