Google, Shopee-owner Sea to develop AI tools for e-commerce, gaming

Core Insights - Google and Sea Ltd have formed a strategic partnership to develop AI tools for e-commerce and gaming, specifically focusing on creating an AI agentic shopping prototype for Sea's Shopee platform [1] - This collaboration is part of a broader trend among global tech firms to monetize AI capabilities beyond basic functions, aiming to enhance various tasks including shopping and workflow management [1] - Shopee holds a dominant position in Southeast Asia's e-commerce market with a 52% market share in 2024, indicating significant competitive strength [1] E-commerce Developments - The partnership will explore the development of AI tools specifically for Shopee, enhancing the shopping experience through advanced AI capabilities [1] - Competitor Alibaba has also introduced a new AI model aimed at the e-commerce sector, highlighting the competitive landscape in Southeast Asia [1] Gaming Sector Innovations - Google and Sea's gaming unit, Garena, will leverage AI solutions to improve productivity in game development, indicating a focus on innovation within the gaming industry [1] - This collaboration follows a previous partnership between Shopee and YouTube, emphasizing the ongoing integration of technology and e-commerce [1]