Microsoft has launched Copilot Checkout, a shopping assistant powered by artificial intelligence, to make the shopping process easier for consumers. The launch was announced at the NRF 2026 Retail Conference.
The integration between Copilot Checkout service and the Microsoft Copilot platform enables customers to browse products and make payments directly from within the AI interface without necessarily accessing a retailer’s site on the platform by following numerous links that may involve filling out forms associated with such sites.
Microsoft designed the service to eliminate the hassle of online shopping platforms that require numerous links and forms to complete a purchase.
Copilot Checkout integrates well with all prominent commerce platforms such as PayPal, Shopify, Stripe, and Etsy. Users can choose products based on conversation flows and make payments directly through Copilot.
The rollout has begun in the United States. The early retail participants include Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Ashley Furniture. Microsoft has announced that it plans to add more retailers to its list in the near future.
Although the check-out process can be conducted through the app, Microsoft emphasized that the participating sellers retain their role as the merchants of record. The retailers still handle payments, fulfillment, and consumers’ data, while Microsoft controls the interface.
OpenAI has also introduced a shopping assistant in the past. But OpenAI cautioned that any information generated by AI, including prices, availability, and details, may be incorrect and should be verified on the merchant’s website.
Microsoft is adopting a more proactive policy. Copilot Checkout enables consumers to complete a purchase entirely in the AI space, with fewer verification cycles.
Microsoft has not yet revealed the methods Copilot Checkout uses to avoid issues such as selecting the wrong product and transaction terms differing due to AI hallucinations.
The company has been requested to explain how transactions are validated and what measures are in place to prevent errors. Lack of transparency in error handling could create issues for both consumers and retailers, especially with the advent of AI-based commerce.
Also Read: Microsoft Pulls Copilot from WhatsApp: Policy Shift Forces Exit Soon
Automated purchasing is not a new concept. Amazon’s one-tap Dash buttons experimented with frictionless buying years ago. What sets Copilot Checkout apart is its integration of conversational AI with real-time commerce across multiple retailers.
Microsoft’s move signals a renewed push to turn AI assistants into full-fledged shopping intermediaries, blurring the lines between search, recommendations, and transactions.