Whatnot has acquired Shaped, an AI startup specializing in machine learning for real-time recommendations and search, according to TechCrunch. This move aims to enhance Whatnot's live shopping platform by improving its recommendation engine during live streams.

Shaped's expertise in real-time data processing and personalized suggestions is expected to strengthen Whatnot's ability to deliver tailored shopping experiences to users, increasing engagement and sales.

For Japanese investors and companies, this acquisition highlights the growing importance of AI-driven personalization in live commerce, a sector that is rapidly evolving in Asia’s digital markets.