The man behind Apple stores says AI won't end in-person shopping

Ron Johnson, the man who built Apple’s stores, told TechCrunch on Sept. 21, 2026 that artificial intelligence will make online shopping better but not change where people shop. He said no one will let a computer helper, known as an AI agent, pick out and pay for a $1,000 or $2,000 laptop without checking a website or store first.