Tech firms are persuading retailers to put AI everywhere

Pichai (right) speaks in conversation with Furner during a keynote session about how their companies are implementing AI during NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show in New York City, US, on Jan 11, 2026. — Reuters

Retail’s foray into the world of artificial intelligence has been a free-for-all.

It doesn’t matter if they’re selling US$35,000 (RM141,837) ostrich leather handbags or chicken feed for US$0.90 (RM3.65) per pound (453g). Companies are trying to figure out how to integrate AI into all parts of their business, from chatbots at checkout, supply chains and security to advertising, inventory management, product design and hiring.