Meta is currently testing out a shopping research feature integrated into its AI chatbot, positioning itself in direct competition with similar offerings from OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. This new functionality facilitates product recommendations and has been rolled out to a select group of users accessing the web version of Meta AI in specific regions across the United States. The recommended products are presented in a carousel layout, complete with explanatory text that details the rationale behind each suggestion. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has articulated the company's ambition to develop a 'personal superintelligence'. Insights from tests conducted by Bloomberg indicate that the chatbot tailors its recommendations based on the user's geographical location and inferred gender. However, it's important to note that the feature currently does not facilitate checkout or payment processes; instead, it allows users to click through to merchant links for additional exploration. When queried about whether Meta intends to levy promotional commissions or give preference to recommending ads from its own platforms, a Meta spokesperson remained tight-lipped. Nonetheless, Zuckerberg has previously emphasized that the new intelligent shopping tool is designed to assist users in pinpointing products that precisely match their requirements.