Descriptions:
In a Bloomberg Technology interview, Google’s shopping and search ads executive Vijay discusses major new AI-powered commerce capabilities launching inside Google’s AI Mode. The centerpiece announcement is in-session purchasing: for the first time, users can complete a product transaction directly within an AI Mode conversation — illustrated with an example of finding and buying a bedroom lamp without leaving the interface. A companion feature called Direct Offers allows retail partners to supply AI-matched, personalized discounts that Google surfaces at the precise moment of purchase intent, enabling instant sale closure. Both features are currently in pilot with an undisclosed group of retailers, with broader participation framed as enrollment in a new ad format.
The conversation explores how consumer search behavior has shifted from keyword queries to conversational, multimodal interactions — users now upload images and describe preferences in natural language, and AI Mode’s back-and-forth dialogue lets Google build richer context about each shopper. Vijay argues this contextual depth is what separates Google’s relevance engine from competing generative AI tools criticized for surfacing off-topic results.
The interview also addresses the contested question of advertising within AI interfaces, referencing the Super Bowl controversy over generative AI ads. Vijay frames Google’s approach as an extension of its 25-year trust-and-relevance playbook rather than a departure from it. Political scrutiny is briefly acknowledged, with Senator Elizabeth Warren cited as a critic concerned about AI nudging consumers toward unintended purchases — a concern Google answers by pointing to user control over final purchase decisions.
📺 Source: Bloomberg Technology · Published February 11, 2026
🏷️ Format: Interview
