Pinterest Unveils AI Business Assistant & Shopping Tools

Pinterest has rolled out a suite of artificial intelligence-powered updates aimed at transforming digital shopping experiences. The platform introduced a business assistant for advertisers, enhanced creative tools, and a standalone AI app called Ask Pinterest during its Cannes 2026 announcements.

AI-Powered Business Assistant for Advertisers

The centerpiece of Pinterest's update is its new Business Assistant, an AI tool integrated directly into the platform's Ads Manager. Currently available in closed beta to select advertising partners, the assistant functions as an "AI collaborator" that provides:

• Data-backed campaign suggestions
• Performance graphs and visualizations
• Optimization recommendations for Pin campaigns

According to Pinterest, the tool combines advertiser business data with platform insights to maximize campaign performance. This marks the company's second AI assistant launch, following its consumer-facing search assistant introduced in October 2025.

Model Context Protocol for Ad Integration

Pinterest also unveiled Model Context Protocol (MCP), described as an "AI-native infrastructure" that connects Pinterest's advertising data with external AI tools. The system allows marketers to:

• Feed Pinterest campaign data into third-party AI chatbots
• Generate performance insights across platforms
• Optimize creative elements through cross-tool analysis

Enhanced Creative Optimization Tools

The platform introduced several AI-driven creative features:

1. Dynamic Creative Selection: Automatically identifies top-performing ad variants for each impression
2. Performance+ Reporting: Provides detailed breakdowns of creative element effectiveness
3. Ad Review Enhancements: Offers more granular feedback on campaign components

Ask Pinterest: Standalone Shopping Discovery App

Perhaps the most ambitious announcement was Ask Pinterest, a new standalone app focused on complex shopping decisions. Currently available only in the U.S., the app handles multi-step queries like:

• Budget party planning
• Personalized gift finding
• Phased room furnishing projects

Pinterest explained the app's purpose: "Ask Pinterest helps us explore how AI can better support richer shopping experiences while retaining context across sessions."

With Pinterest now boasting 631 million monthly active users—most exhibiting shopping intent—these AI tools could significantly impact how brands approach visual commerce. As tracked by like.tg, Pinterest's continued investment in AI reflects broader industry trends toward automated, data-driven marketing solutions.

The platform's dual focus on both advertiser tools and consumer discovery suggests a strategic push to cement Pinterest's position as a leader in AI-powered shopping experiences. Early advertiser feedback on these tools will likely shape their broader rollout throughout 2026.