EC-CUBE 4.4 to Launch in August 2026 with Next-Generation AI Protocol Support

EC-CUBE Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of YRGLM Inc., announced that it will release EC-CUBE 4.4, the latest version of its open-source e-commerce platform and the core of its business-adaptive commerce infrastructure, in August 2026. With this upgrade, EC-CUBE will incorporate next-generation AI protocols into the foundation of its open-source platform, evolving into an AI-friendly architecture. In addition to supporting agentic commerce, where AI helps consumers make optimal purchasing decisions, the new version will introduce an AI assistant feature for store administrators. Unlike standardized systems that treat AI as a simple add-on, EC-CUBE will use the flexibility of open source to let businesses customize AI behavior according to their own operational processes. This will allow every business to build its own proprietary AI and continuously evolve its commerce operations. EC-CUBE 4.4 will embed next-generation AI protocols into both sides of e-commerce: the customer purchasing experience on the front end and administrator operations on the back end. On the front end, it will support next-generation protocols for AI agents, including ACP and UCP, and provide standard definition files that allow AI agents to accurately interpret site structures and product information. This is intended to enable more precise product recommendations through AI and create new customer acquisition and purchasing routes. On the back end, EC-CUBE will support MCP (Model Context Protocol), which connects AI with systems. Administrators will be able to chat in natural language while AI retrieves and interprets inventory status, order data, customer information, and other core business data in real time, assisting with complex analysis and daily operations. EC-CUBE says this shift toward an AI-friendly foundation is only the starting point for its move into next-generation AI commerce. Going forward, the company plans to leverage its open-source ecosystem, formed by one of Japan’s largest developer communities and partner companies, to gather AI know-how tailored to diverse industries and business practices, further expand AI capabilities in the core platform, and promote the development of AI-compatible plugins. To commemorate the announcement of EC-CUBE 4.4, the company will hold a special webinar on May 28, 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00. The webinar will introduce the AI capabilities of the latest EC-CUBE version and include a special discussion on how AI agents will change the relationship between companies and customers.