Google Launches Gemini Shopping Features Alongside Meta's AI Shift

Google is significantly enhancing the holiday shopping experience with new AI-powered features across its Search and Gemini platforms, launched on November 13, 2025. These tools allow users to describe desired items in natural language, utilize an AI Mode comparison tool, and even have Google call stores using Duplex technology to check product availability. Shoppers can also track prices and enable an agentic checkout system to automatically complete purchases via Google Pay when prices drop. These features are rolling out in the U.S. and integrate with merchants like Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify sellers. Beyond retail, agentic AI is proving crucial for cybersecurity, particularly in managing Non-Human Identities (NHIs)—digital passports for machines and applications that use 'Secrets' like passwords for system access. Effective NHI management, bolstered by agentic AI, helps detect threats early, strengthens defenses, and automates security gap fixes, reducing risks and improving compliance for businesses, especially in cloud-native environments. The broader AI market is seeing mixed sentiment regarding a potential bubble. Amjad Masad, CEO of AI coding startup Replit, observed a slowdown in the 'vibe coding hype market.' However, Navrina Singh, CEO of Credo AI, maintains that the market is not a bubble, viewing AI as a primary growth driver for businesses. Singh emphasizes the necessity for continued investment in AI capabilities, governance, energy, and infrastructure. Other notable AI advancements include Pundi AI's partnership with Spheron Network, announced on November 14, 2025, aiming to accelerate AI product development by decentralizing AI training data. AI is also transforming physical security by analyzing data to predict unusual behavior in access control systems. In a fascinating development, Japanese scientist Tomoyasu Horikawa created 'mind-captioning' technology that uses AI and brain scans to translate mental images into descriptive sentences, offering potential aid for individuals with language difficulties, though experts like Marcello Ienca and Scott Barry Kaufman highlight significant privacy concerns. The AI audio company ElevenLabs has partnered with celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine to create AI versions of their voices, allowing for passive income and new content creation opportunities. Meanwhile, Meta's chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, plans to depart to start his own venture as Meta shifts focus to rapid AI product releases. Amazon Prime Video has reached 315 million ad-supported viewers, and YouTube has introduced AI features like video summaries and quizzes. Separately, the global race for quantum computers is intensifying, with some experts believing this technology could eventually outperform AI, and IBM experts Jamie Garcia and Jerry Chow pointing to 2029 as a key year for quantum progress.

Key Takeaways

• Google launched new AI-powered shopping features on November 13, 2025, including an AI Mode comparison tool, AI calling stores via Duplex technology, and agentic checkout for automatic purchases using Google Pay.
• These Google AI shopping tools are integrated into Search and the Gemini app, rolling out in the U.S. and supporting merchants like Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify sellers.
• Agentic AI is crucial for cybersecurity, enhancing the management of Non-Human Identities (NHIs) by detecting threats, strengthening defenses, and automating security fixes in cloud environments.
• Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, noted a slowdown in the 'vibe coding hype market,' while Navrina Singh, CEO of Credo AI, believes the AI market is not a bubble and is a major business growth driver.
• Navrina Singh advocates for increased investment in AI capabilities, governance, energy, and infrastructure to support AI's growth.
• Pundi AI partnered with Spheron Network on November 14, 2025, to create a decentralized system for faster AI product development.
• Japanese scientist Tomoyasu Horikawa developed 'mind-captioning' AI technology that translates mental images from brain scans into descriptive sentences, with potential applications for individuals with language difficulties.
• ElevenLabs partnered with celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine to create AI voice versions, enabling passive income and new content creation opportunities in industries like audiobooks and gaming.
• Meta's chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, plans to leave the company to start his own venture, coinciding with Meta's shift towards rapid AI product releases.
• The global race for quantum computers is intensifying, with experts from IBM, Jamie Garcia and Jerry Chow, identifying 2029 as a key year for quantum progress, a technology believed by some to potentially outperform AI.

Google adds new AI shopping tools for holidays

Google announced several new AI-powered shopping features for the holiday season. These updates include an AI Mode comparison tool and a feature that lets Google call stores for you. Shoppers can also use AI to track prices and even complete purchases automatically when prices drop. These new tools are rolling out in the U.S. and work with merchants like Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify sellers.

Google AI and Gemini boost holiday shopping

Google introduced many new AI and agentic features to make holiday shopping easier. These updates for Search and the Gemini app let users describe what they want in natural language. New tools can call nearby stores to check stock using Duplex technology and even complete purchases automatically with agentic checkout. These features are rolling out in the United States, helping shoppers with tasks like comparing products and tracking prices.

Google adds AI tools for easier holiday shopping

Google launched new AI shopping features across its Search and Gemini platforms on November 13, 2025. These tools allow AI to complete purchases, call stores, and answer complex product questions for the holiday season. The agentic checkout system can buy items automatically when prices drop, using Google Pay. Google also uses Duplex technology to call local stores for product availability, sending results by email or text. These updates aim to simplify shopping for U.S. users.

Agentic AI crucial for future cybersecurity

Agentic AI is changing cybersecurity, especially how organizations manage Non-Human Identities or NHIs. NHIs are like digital passports for machines and applications, using "Secrets" such as passwords or tokens to access systems. Managing these NHIs well is key to preventing cyberattacks, particularly in cloud settings. Effective NHI management helps reduce risks, improves compliance, and makes security teams more efficient. Integrating Agentic AI with security strategies allows for better threat prediction and streamlined operations.

Agentic AI boosts cloud security for businesses

Agentic AI significantly impacts cloud-native security by improving how organizations manage Non-Human Identities, or NHIs. NHIs are digital identities for machines and applications, using "Secrets" like passwords for access. Agentic AI helps detect threats early and makes security defenses stronger. Proper NHI management involves finding all NHIs, watching their actions for unusual patterns, and fixing security gaps automatically. This approach reduces risks, helps meet compliance rules, and saves costs for businesses in sectors like financial services and healthcare.

Pundi AI partners with Spheron Network

Pundi AI, a decentralized protocol, announced a new partnership with Spheron Network on November 14, 2025. Pundi AI works to turn AI training data into assets owned by the community. Spheron Network is a platform for decentralized computing. This collaboration aims to create a complete system that helps developers build and release AI products more quickly.

AI and containers reshape security access

A webcast on December 11, 2025, will discuss how AI and containers are changing physical security. Traditional access control is becoming smarter, using AI to analyze data and predict unusual behavior. Containerized systems allow businesses to run access platforms in their own cloud, offering more control and scalability. Global companies are already using these new hybrid systems, combining AI analytics and various identity systems. This shift helps turn access events into valuable business information.

Scientist turns thoughts into text using AI

A Japanese scientist named Tomoyasu Horikawa developed a "mind-captioning" technology that uses AI and brain scans to turn mental images into descriptive sentences. He trained AI models by analyzing brain activity from six participants watching videos. The AI can generate text descriptions, even in English, and could help people with language difficulties like aphasia or non-verbal autism. Experts like Marcello Ienca and Scott Barry Kaufman see great potential but also raise serious privacy concerns. They stress the need for strict rules to protect sensitive brain information.

AI startup leaders discuss market bubble fears

Startup founders are sharing their thoughts on growing fears that the AI market might be a bubble. Amjad Masad, CEO of AI coding startup Replit, noted a slowdown in the "vibe coding hype market." However, Navrina Singh, CEO of Credo AI, believes the market is not a bubble and that AI is a major growth driver for businesses. She emphasized the need for more investment in AI capabilities, governance, energy, and infrastructure.

Global race for quantum computers heats up

The global race to develop quantum computers is intensifying, with many believing this technology could even outperform AI. Quantum mechanics is driving major advancements that could change fields like drug discovery, finance, and cybersecurity. Experts from IBM, Jamie Garcia and Jerry Chow, point to 2029 as a key year for quantum progress. Niccolo de Masi from IonQ claims his company is already years ahead in this important technological competition.

Celebrities license AI voices with ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs, an AI audio company, partnered with stars like Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine to create AI versions of their voices. McConaughey is investing in the company and will use his AI voice for a Spanish version of his newsletter. Michael Caine joined the Iconic Voice Marketplace, allowing others to license his voice for projects like audiobooks. This technology lets celebrities earn passive income and helps companies access famous voices for various projects. It also opens new possibilities for industries like gaming and audiobooks.

Meta AI scientist leaves, Waymo expands, app updates

Meta's chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, plans to leave the company to start his own venture. This comes as Meta shifts focus from long-term AI research to quickly releasing AI products. Meanwhile, Waymo, the self-driving car company, is expanding its robotaxi service to highways and airport terminals. Other news includes Snapchat users petitioning for 2D Bitmojis, and Amazon Prime Video reaching 315 million ad-supported viewers. YouTube also added new AI features like video summaries and quizzes.

Sources

• Google AI Mode Comparisons, Call Store, Track Price & Agentic Checkout
• Google explains how its AI mode and Gemini can help in shopping this holiday season: All you need to know
• Google launches agentic checkout and AI shopping tools for holiday season
• Why is Agentic AI critical for future cybersecurity
• What impact does Agentic AI have on cloud-native security
• Pundi AI - All News And Posts By Crowdfund Insider
• Reprogramming Access- AI, Containers, and the New Security Archit
• Scientist turns people’s mental images into text using ‘mind-captioning’ technology
• AI anxiety on the rise: Startup founders react to bubble fears
• Beyond AI: Inside the Global Quantum Computer Race
• Stars Including Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine Partner With ElevenLabs To Create AI-generated Versions Of Their Voices
• The Social Skinny: Meta’s chief AI scientist resigns; Snapchat users petition for 2D Bitmojis