Google is significantly expanding the commercial capabilities of its AI products, transforming Gemini and AI Mode into direct online shopping platforms. On January 12, 2026, the company introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard developed with major retailers like Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart. This protocol streamlines communication between AI agents and merchant systems, allowing users to make purchases directly within chat interfaces. Retailers can also offer special "Direct Offers" in AI Mode, and Google is launching a Business Agent chatbot to answer product questions for brands such as Lowe's and Michael's. Meanwhile, Microsoft is addressing both AI adoption and public concerns. On January 13, 2026, ESW launched Copilot Ascend, a new training program for Microsoft Copilot and AI. This initiative, championed by ESW CEO Russell Kommer, aims to help organizations confidently integrate AI into their workforce by providing practical skills for Microsoft 365 applications. Separately, Microsoft has committed to "pay its way" to alleviate public backlash and concerns surrounding its data center operations. The financial sector also sees significant AI integration, with Winston Pierce Investment launching advanced AI-driven trading services in Canada on January 13, 2026. The company leverages deep learning models and high-frequency trading algorithms for traditional finance and cryptocurrency arbitrage. Spokesperson Chloe Crawford highlighted their AI's ability to provide faster execution and smarter value capture, particularly through crypto arbitrage trading that identifies brief price differences across global exchanges. Broader AI developments include a focus on security and data rights. The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 report, released January 13, 2026, warns businesses of a "three-front war" against cybercrime, AI misuse, and supply chain risks, with security leaders increasingly concerned about AI as a weapon. Organizations are countering this by deploying AI in their defenses. Concurrently, India proposed on January 13, 2026, that AI companies pay mandatory blanket license fees for using copyrighted data to train models, seeking fair compensation for its valuable and diverse data. Looking back, 2025 marked substantial progress in AI, featuring advanced reasoning models, expanded context windows, and improved multimodal capabilities. Open-source models became production-viable, and the Mixture of Experts (MoE) method gained traction for efficiency. Agentic AI also emerged, automating specific business tasks. In other news, Neural Concept launched its AI Design Copilot on January 12, 2026, using "physics-aware" AI to accelerate product development, and MANTECH Minute discussed AI on WDTV on January 12, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Google launched the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) on January 12, 2026, enabling direct shopping within Gemini and AI Mode, with support from major retailers like Shopify and Walmart.
- Google is introducing a Business Agent chatbot for brands such as Lowe's and Michael's to answer product questions.
- On January 13, 2026, ESW launched Copilot Ascend, a Microsoft Copilot and AI training program led by CEO Russell Kommer, focusing on practical AI skills for Microsoft 365 applications.
- Microsoft is addressing public concerns about its data centers, vowing to "pay its way" to resolve backlash.
- Winston Pierce Investment expanded AI-driven trading services into Canada on January 13, 2026, specializing in deep learning, high-frequency trading, and cryptocurrency arbitrage.
- The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 report (Jan 13, 2026) highlights a "three-front war" for businesses against cybercrime, AI misuse, and supply chain risks, with AI being used for both offense and defense.
- India proposed on January 13, 2026, that AI companies pay mandatory blanket license fees, a percentage of global revenue, for using copyrighted data to train their models.
- 2025 saw significant AI advancements, including advanced reasoning models, expanded context windows, improved multimodal capabilities, viable open-source models, and the rise of Agentic AI and Mixture of Experts (MoE).
- Neural Concept launched its AI Design Copilot on January 12, 2026, utilizing "physics-aware" AI to accelerate product development for engineers and designers.
- CEOs rank cyber-enabled fraud as a top cyber risk for 2026, according to the Global Cybersecurity Outlook report.
Google Gemini AI will let you shop directly
Google is making its AI products more like online stores, allowing users to buy things directly through the Gemini chatbot and AI Mode. On January 12, 2026, Google launched the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to make this process easier. Major companies like Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart helped build UCP. Retailers can also offer special discounts called Direct Offers in AI Mode. Google is also launching Business Agent, a chatbot that answers product questions for brands like Lowe's and Michael's.
Google AI launches UCP for easy shopping
On January 12, 2026, Google AI introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a new open standard for online shopping. UCP helps AI agents and merchant systems communicate easily, allowing users to buy products directly within a chat. This solves the problem of needing separate connections for every store and payment method. Platforms like Gemini and AI Mode in Search will integrate with UCP. It defines roles such as Platform, Business, Credential Provider, and Payment Service Provider to manage the shopping process.
Winston Pierce brings AI trading to Canada
Winston Pierce Investment officially launched in Canada on January 13, 2026, introducing advanced AI-driven trading services. The company uses powerful artificial intelligence, including deep learning models and high-frequency trading algorithms, for traditional financial trading and cryptocurrency arbitrage. Chloe Crawford, a spokesperson, explained that their AI gives clients an edge with faster execution and smarter ways to capture value. Their standout service is crypto arbitrage trading, which spots brief price differences across major cryptocurrency exchanges for low-risk, high-speed trades. Winston Pierce is committed to transparency and operating responsibly within Canadian and international standards.
Winston Pierce expands AI trading in Canada
Winston Pierce Investment announced its expansion into Canada on January 13, 2026, offering advanced AI-driven trading services. The company combines powerful artificial intelligence with expertise in traditional financial trading and cryptocurrency arbitrage. Their proprietary AI technology uses deep learning models and high-frequency trading algorithms to identify opportunities and execute decisions quickly. Chloe Crawford, a spokesperson, noted that their AI provides clients with faster execution and smarter value capture across various markets. A key specialty is crypto arbitrage trading, which scans global exchanges for price differences to make low-risk, high-speed trades.
ESW launches Copilot Ascend AI training
On January 13, 2026, ESW launched Copilot Ascend, a new Microsoft Copilot and AI training program. This program helps organizations confidently adopt AI across their workforce by focusing on practical skill development and real-world workflows. It includes instructor-led training by Microsoft Certified Trainers and hands-on exercises for Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and Power Platform. Russell Kommer, CEO of ESW, stated that Copilot Ascend helps teams move from experimenting with AI to using it consistently. The program supports HR, IT, and business leaders in improving productivity and decision-making with AI.
Businesses fight cybercrime AI misuse and supply chain threats
On January 13, 2026, the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 report highlighted that businesses face a three-front war against cybercrime, AI misuse, and supply chain risks. Security leaders are increasingly worried about AI being used as a weapon and the impact of global conflicts. Organizations are responding by using AI in their defenses for tasks like email security and detecting unusual activity. The study also noted a rise in cyber-enabled fraud, with CEOs ranking it as a top cyber risk for 2026. Despite these challenges, organizations report gradual improvements in their overall resilience to cyber incidents.
Microsoft promises to address data center concerns
Microsoft is working to ease concerns about its data centers. The company has vowed to "pay its way" as it seeks to resolve public backlash. This effort aims to address issues related to the impact of its data center operations.
AI in 2025 saw big advances
The year 2025 brought significant progress in AI, marked by new methods and competitive open-source models. Key developments included advanced reasoning models that can "think" through complex tasks and expanding context windows for better memory. Multimodal capabilities also improved, allowing for diverse inputs like speech and images. Open-source models became viable for production, democratizing the space. The Mixture of Experts (MoE) method gained popularity, reducing memory and expense needs for developers. Agentic AI also emerged, becoming more common for automating specific business tasks.
India wants AI firms to pay for data
On January 13, 2026, India proposed a plan to make AI companies pay for using copyrighted data to train their models. India, with its large population and diverse languages, believes it has the right to demand payment for its valuable data. James Grimmelmann, a professor at Cornell University, supports this, suggesting companies will need to adapt or lose access to India's massive market. The plan proposes a mandatory blanket license fee, a percentage of global revenue, to be collected and distributed to registered creators. This approach aims to ensure fair compensation for creative work, differing from the US "fair use" model.
Neural Concept launches AI design tool
Neural Concept launched its new AI Design Copilot on January 12, 2026. This tool uses "physics-aware" artificial intelligence to speed up product development. It helps engineers and designers create new products faster and more efficiently. The AI Design Copilot aims to improve the design process by using advanced AI capabilities.
MANTECH Minute discusses Artificial Intelligence
On January 12, 2026, MANTECH Minute featured a segment about Artificial Intelligence. Viewers can watch this discussion to learn more about AI. The segment airs every Monday during the 6 a.m. hour on WDTV.
Sources
- Google Will Soon Enable Product Purchases in Gemini, AI Mode
- Google AI Releases Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP): An Open-Source Standard Designed to Power the Next Generation of Agentic Commerce
- Winston Pierce Investment Expands to Canada with AI Trading and Crypto Arbitrage Services
- Winston Pierce Investment Expands to Canada with AI Trading and Crypto Arbitrage Services
- ESW Launches Copilot Ascend™, a Microsoft AI Training Program Designed to Build Real Workforce Capability
- Enterprise security faces a three-front war: cybercrime, AI misuse, and supply chains
- Microsoft vows to ‘pay its way’ as it seeks to defuse data centre backlash
- 2025 AI wrapped
- Why India’s plan to make AI companies pay for training data should go global
- Neural Concept Launches AI Design Copilot for Product Development
- MANTECH Minute: Artificial intelligence
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