new delhi [India]December 29 (ANI): Artificial intelligence is starting to reshape the commerce sector, moving beyond recommendations and customer support to AI agents that can independently complete purchases on behalf of consumers and businesses, highlighted a report by Global Payments Inc., a payment processing technology and services provider.
This marks a shift from AI as a research tool to AI as an active participant in transactions.
It states, “The transformation in commerce is just beginning…consumers are already realizing that AI can be a powerful researcher, collaborator, and collaborator when it comes to finding products and services.”
The report notes that another emerging application of AI is in household finance management. Citing an example, the report says a busy householder could instruct an AI agent to plan weekly dinners, suggest recipes, and create a shopping list based on past purchases, brand preferences, and budget constraints.
With agent commerce linked to payments, AI can directly place delivery orders without the need for repeated approvals or payment inputs.
On the business side, AI agents could manage supplies on behalf of their owners, renew or cancel software subscriptions, oversee maintenance needs, and process payments to suppliers and gig workers, the report said.
These transactions can be completed through tokenized purchases, increasing visibility and security.
Initially, companies primarily deployed AI in customer service to reduce costs and increase engagement by using natural language tools to answer queries and provide personalized recommendations. AI is also being used to enhance back-office operations such as demand forecasting and inventory management.
However, in recent months, AI's role as an autonomous agent for consumers has started to gain traction.
According to the report's research, awareness of agent commerce is already high among businesses, with 15% saying they are familiar with the concept and 72% saying they are somewhat familiar with it. In the next phase, the AI agent makes the purchase without any additional authorization or repeated entry of payment details.
In the consumer space, the report added, AI agents can now plan a seven-day vacation, research flights and hotels within a fixed budget, secure reservations, place deposits, schedule spa treatments, and even instruct users to purchase clothing based on their style, brand preferences, and recently added wardrobe additions.
The report also noted that AI is changing not only what happens during a trade, but also who performs it and when. With widespread adoption, testing, and regular improvements, Agent Commerce is expected to deliver better customer experiences, improved service, and more powerful business touchpoints. But as technology evolves, challenges and risks remain. (Ani)
