Whatnot acquires AI startup Shaped to sharpen live shopping recommendations

What's the deal? Live shopping marketplace Whatnot has acquired Shaped, an AI startup that builds real-time recommendation systems. Whatnot will use the technology to power personalised, real-time product recommendations across its live shopping platform.

What's the endgame? Whatnot runs live video streams where sellers auction and sell goods to viewers in real time. Folding in Shaped's recommendation engine aims to help the platform surface relevant streams and products to shoppers as events unfold.

The signal: The deal shows live commerce players racing to bolt on AI as they compete for shopper attention. Owning recommendation technology in-house — rather than renting it — is becoming a key edge in the fast-moving live shopping market.

Read more: TechCrunch

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