Recently, several leaders across eBay gave their insights about the AI trends to watch in ecommerce for 2026. They mentioned everything from trust becoming the currency of global commerce to making shopping more fun with AI.
Whether these trend predictions come true or not, AI is certainly going to play a major role in ecommerce throughout 2026, so brands need to be aware of this and plan accordingly to succeed and stand out.
eBay Leaders Reveal Their Top AI Ecommerce Trends for 2026
eBay recently posted a breakdown of the AI trends that leaders across the company thought were worth watching in 2026. Here’s what a few of the leaders had to say, and what I believe ecommerce brands can do to prepare for these predictions if they end up being correct.
Trust Becomes the Real Currency
Avritti Khandurie Mittal, VP & Global Head of Product, said that AI’s real power in commerce isn’t solely automation, but to also make commerce more human. They added that as AI absorbs complexity across translation, compliance, payments, and more, experiences will begin to feel more personal and effortless.
Finally, they believe that trust will become embedded, not simply bolted on, as we move to an era of continuous verification, where AI assesses things like identity, intent, product fit, and more in real time.
Trust has been an issue with AI at times, as many people don’t trust it to handle full transactions, make purchases autonomously, or be left solely in charge of things. But as AI advances, consumer trust in it to handle more and more tasks will also rise.
As a result, I agree that trust is the currency of commerce and AI in general, as it helps dictate how often it’s adopted, how well it’s integrated, and even the value that AI systems have for customers and companies alike.
In 2026 and beyond, brands that elevate trust with their AI efforts by offering total transparency, prioritizing data privacy, and focusing on real value will be the ones that find the most success with it.
AI Will Encourage More Conscious Commerce
Renée Morin, Chief Sustainability Officer, believes that AI has the potential to accelerate sustainable and conscious commerce. She highlights how she has seen how both tech and AI can make it simple to shop sustainably, by helping people discover pre-owned items more effectively, or even find a matching item on the open market from a single photo.
AI can also aid in strengthening circular commerce by using predictive analytics and preventive maintenance to extend product lifespan, sorting and identifying recyclable materials, and even by optimizing supply chains to make them more efficient.
It can also help people find more sustainable products, by researching or prioritizing them based on materials, sourcing, and carbon footprint. As a result, if you shop via AI, it may be easier and quicker to identify products that let you lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
Even without AI leading to better sustainability, many customers already value sustainability and eco-friendliness from the brands they buy from. As a result, ecommerce companies need to continue to find ways to operate in a sustainable manner, whether that’s using carbon-neutral shipping, creating an energy-efficient warehouse, or opting for eco-friendly packaging.
AI will Make Shopping Fun Again
Adrian Fung, Global Chief Marketing Officer, predicts that AI is going to rapidly evolve to connect shoppers to ecommerce brands on a more emotional level. For many people, shopping is more than a task and is something they’re passionate about.
Many like to research different options, search for the perfect item, and spend time discovering what’s out there that’s related to their passion or hobby. While AI streamlines the shopping and research process, it shouldn’t take the personality away from it.
Brands need to recognize this and find ways to craft an AI experience that makes shopping enjoyable. This could be through virtual try-ons, this-or-that style games to learn a person’s style or preferences, or even through developing chatbots with a personality that resonates with your target market.
The companies that can make AI shopping fun and personal, as opposed to feeling like customers are talking to a robot for guidance, are likely to find the most success.
AI Will Help With Learning to Embrace Uncertainty
Finally, Blair Ethington, VP, Buyer & Community Product, said that 2026 will be the year of uncertainty and failure. He says that AI changes the game, as it invites brands to let go of control and give the AI more freedom. While this often has good results, there are times of uncertainty, and AI is sure to make mistakes periodically.
As a result, a key skill for product teams to have in 2026 is adaptability, as how you handle surprises, failures, and the unknown will be crucial to your success. You won’t be able to avoid failures and uncertainty completely when putting your trust in AI, so the key is to learn from them effectively.
However, companies also need to have AI mitigation plans in place for how they handle these mistakes, errors, or oversights that are sure to occur. If you expect AI to handle tasks perfectly from the start without any backup plan, you could land your organization in trouble.
Whether these exact trends unfold or not, there’s no doubting that AI will play a major role in ecommerce throughout 2026. As a result, companies need to be prepared for these trends and others like them to ensure they’re not lagging behind the competition or missing out on important opportunities.
