

Shopping in 2026: AI is taking over my No. 1 hobby
Agentic AI.The seeds for Agentic AI were sown in 2025. We saw Google Gemini access (with permission) Gmail to triage inboxes and draft context-aware replies, link to Calendar. and keep and manage agendas and to-do lists.
In Search, Gemini powers AI Mode’s deep searches, it explains, handles multi-step queries, compares prices, and even calls stores. OpenAI released 'Operator', a browser-based agent designed to navigate websites and run errands for you.Not to be left behind, Anthropic introduced ‘Computer Use’, which allowed AI to view a screen, move the cursor and control desktop apps exactly like a human. There were also a number of agentic browsers launched that plan on being the platform from which agentic activities are triggered.We jumped from Generative to Agentic AI almost overnight.
Suddenly, chatbots weren't just generating text and funny images; they were booking flights, filling out forms, and executing complex workflows across multiple apps, without human hand-holding.Now, I don't mind a digital assistant doing all the drudge work, so to speak. If an agent wants to renew my car insurance, file my taxes, or sit on hold with the airline office for forty minutes, be my guest. Take the keys, drive the car, and park it in the garage.
Throw out the garbage, turn on the air purifier, refill the milk when the smart fridge I don’t have tells you to. But when I want to go shopping, I want to go shopping, so, AI agents, please take the day off.What use is it when you bark out a command and go take a nap while a chunk of technology goes off to have all the fun of hunting for your favourite things, looks at colours, styles, and prices? I worry about what happens to my No. 1 hobby, my retail therapy? You tell the agent, “I
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