DoorDash is testing a new AI-powered app called Zesty in New York and San Francisco to help users discover restaurants. The app includes an AI chatbot for tailored suggestions and a social feature for users to share restaurant reviews and experiences. This move is part of DoorDash's strategy to diversify its offerings beyond food delivery, with significant investments planned for future internal productivity tools and initiatives.

Lowe's plans to enhance its AI-powered visualization tools in 2026, allowing customers to upload images of their spaces and reimagine them in real-time with recommended products and styles. The retailer envisions a highly interactive, Pinterest-like experience that helps shoppers move seamlessly from inspiration to installation. This initiative is designed to make home improvement shopping more intuitive by allowing users to see how furniture, fixtures and decor will look in their own rooms, supported by AI-driven recommendations and personalization.

Fanatics has entered into a partnership with Rokt to integrate advanced ecommerce technology across its global platforms to provide offers and content to shoppers. Fanatics will join the Rokt Network, leveraging Rokt's AI-powered solutions to refine its merchandise operations and connect with a wider audience. The partnership is designed to support Fanatics' expansive international footprint and benefit from Rokt's established presence in key regions worldwide.

Chongker, Haivivi, Keyi Tech and other AI toy manufacturers are expanding the tech toy market with innovative products that offer personalized interactions and learning capabilities. An AI cat with a simulated heartbeat serves as a comfort pet, CocoMate plush toys discuss everyday events with kids and Loona the AI puppy roams around its owner's home, recognizing and responding to multiple family members. While these toys offer voice recognition and other features, manufacturers are implementing guardrails to address privacy concerns.

Trove's recommerce platform enables major brands, including Patagonia, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, to launch and manage their own branded resale, trade-in and repair programs on their ecommerce sites. By integrating these capabilities, Trove helps brands control their secondary markets, streamline returns and inventory management and connect with new customers who are entering the market via resale.

OpenAI is reportedly in early talks with Amazon to raise no less than $10 billion, potentially valuing the AI company at over $500 billion. The discussions include OpenAI adopting Amazon's Trainium chip, which would enhance Amazon's presence in the AI sector, support its semiconductor division and help it compete with Nvidia, which currently dominates the AI chip market. The talks follow a recent restructuring at OpenAI, where Microsoft acquired a 27% stake.

Startup Everbloom is using its AI technology, Braid.AI, to transform waste materials like chicken feathers into cashmere-like fibers. This innovative process involves collecting keratin-rich waste from various sources, which is then processed to create biodegradable fibers. The approach aims to address the unsustainable practices in the cashmere market by offering an eco-friendly and economically viable alternative, challenging the notion that sustainable products must be more expensive.

AI is transforming consumer behavior, with 2025 marking a significant shift toward AI-powered product discovery and decision-making, writes Ollie Shelton of Threepipe Reply. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, AI assistants influenced over $14 billion in sales globally and mobile purchases dominated. Brands are adopting agentic AI to automate budget allocation and creative adjustments in real time, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste.

Sixty-eight percent of CEOs of large companies plan to boost AI investments in 2026, even though fewer than half of AI projects have generated returns, according to a survey by Teneo. CEOs have seen the most success in marketing and customer service, while facing challenges in security and HR. Interestingly, 67% of CEOs believe AI will boost entry-level hiring and 58% believe it will up senior leadership roles.