More than one in 10 consumers could routinely use AI agents to make online purchases on their behalf by 2030, according to a Mastercard report on the future of commerce.
The report, A Short History of the Future of Shopping and Payments, combines Mastercard research with forecasts from four AI and commerce experts.
Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram
From Recommendations To Purchases
AI agents could handle routine purchases such as groceries, medicines and subscriptions, including negotiating prices for consumers. Smart devices such as watches and rings could also provide personalized product information before and after purchases.
“By 2030, buying a product and the shopping experience will not necessarily be the same thing,” said Magnus Lindkvist. “AI agents will take care of the most everyday purchases, leaving the shopping experience to be more closely associated with discovery, inspiration and enjoyment.”
Younger Consumers Are Moving First
Mastercard’s survey of 26,000 parents and teenagers aged 13 to 18 across 13 countries found that teenagers already use AI in purchasing decisions at roughly twice the rate of their parents.
Some 62% said AI will significantly change how their generation shops. Meanwhile, 31% would trust an AI product recommendation more than one from a friend, while 23% would trust AI more than their parents.
Retailers Will Need To Adapt
As AI agents make purchasing decisions, retailers will need to serve both consumers and software acting on their behalf. Product information, reviews, certifications, origin and sustainability data will need to be easy for AI systems to identify and verify.
Trust will be critical as agents gain authority to complete transactions. Businesses and financial institutions will need clear rules covering identification, consent, authorization and responsibility, Lau said.
Cyprus Tests Agentic Commerce
Mastercard said agentic commerce is already being tested in Cyprus. Earlier this year, it carried out what it described as the country’s first agentic transactions in a regulated environment with Alpha Bank Cyprus, Eurobank Limited and Bank of Cyprus.
Using Mastercard Agent Pay, AI agents completed purchases with consumers’ explicit consent. The trials were designed to maintain security, transparency and consumer control.
The tests offer an early example of infrastructure that could support a shift from AI recommendations to AI agents making purchases directly. Scaling the model will depend on both technology and clear rules governing how agents can act.
