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AI Agents Now Buying for You: The Rise of Autonomous Agentic Commerce

Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally reshaping commerce by evolving from a supportive tool into an autonomous agent capable of completing transactions independently. These AI agents can now manage complex tasks for consumers, such as planning vacations and grocery shopping, and for businesses, like managing supplies and processing payments. The shift, termed "agentic commerce," leverages tokenized payments to execute purchases without repeated authorization, enhancing both convenience and security. While adoption and awareness are growing rapidly, the technology's expansion also brings evolving challenges and risks that must be managed.

Key Points: AI Transforms Commerce from Assistant to Autonomous Buyer

  • AI shifts from research to autonomous transactions
  • Manages household tasks & business operations
  • Uses tokenized payments for security
  • High business awareness of agentic commerce
3 min read

AI reshaping commerce industry from assisted buying to autonomous transactions: Report

AI is evolving beyond recommendations to become autonomous agents that complete purchases for consumers and businesses, reshaping transactions.

"In commerce, the transformation is just beginning... AI can be a powerful researcher, collator and collaborator. – Global Payments Inc. Report"

New Delhi, December 29

Artificial Intelligence is starting to reshape the commerce sector, with the shift 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., which provides technology and services for processing payments.

This marks a shift from AI as a research tool to AI as an active participant in transactions.

It stated "In commerce, the transformation is just beginning......Consumers have already discovered that AI can be a powerful researcher, collator and collaborator when it comes to searching for items and services".

The report noted that another emerging application of AI is in household management. Citing an example, the report stated that a busy head of a family can instruct an AI agent to prepare weekly dinner plans, suggest recipes and create a shopping list using past purchases, brand preferences and budget limits.

With agentic commerce linked to payments, the AI can place delivery orders directly without requiring repeated approvals or payment inputs.

On the business side, the report stated that AI agents can act on behalf of owners to manage supplies, renew or cancel software subscriptions, oversee maintenance needs and process payments to suppliers and gig workers.

These transactions can be completed through tokenised purchases, improving visibility and security.

Initially, businesses adopted AI primarily for customer service, using natural language tools to answer queries and provide personalised recommendations, thereby reducing costs and improving engagement. AI has also been used to strengthen back-office operations such as demand forecasting and inventory management.

In recent months, however, AI's role as an autonomous agent for consumers has begun to gain traction.

According to the survey in the report, awareness of agentic commerce is already high among businesses, with 15 per cent reporting they are very familiar with the concept and 72 per cent reporting they are somewhat familiar. The next phase involves AI agents making purchases without extra authorisation or repeated entry of payment details.

In the consumer space, the report added that AI agents can now be directed to plan a seven-day vacation, research airfare and hotels within a fixed budget, and secure reservations, place deposits, schedule spa treatments, and even purchase clothing based on a user's style, brand preferences, and recent wardrobe additions.

The report also noted that AI is changing not only what happens during a transaction, but also who carries it out and when. With wider adoption, testing, and regular improvements, agentic commerce is expected to deliver a better customer experience, improved service, and stronger business touchpoints. However, challenges and risks remain as the technology evolves.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Autonomous transactions sound convenient but also risky. Who is liable if the AI makes a wrong purchase or gets hacked? We need very strong regulations and security frameworks, especially for UPI and digital payments in India, before this becomes mainstream.
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Aditya G
As a small business owner, the part about AI managing supplies and subscriptions is a game-changer. It could really help streamline operations. But the cost of implementing such advanced AI is a big concern for MSMEs in our country.
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Sarah B
The vacation planning example is impressive. However, I worry about the personal data this requires. An AI knowing my wardrobe, style, and spending habits is a lot of trust to place in a machine. Privacy should be the top priority.
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Karthik V
This is the future, no doubt. India's tech talent can lead in developing these agentic commerce solutions tailored for our markets. But we must ensure they don't widen the digital divide. Not everyone is comfortable with this level of automation.
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Meera T
While the efficiency gains are clear, I have a respectful criticism. The report seems overly optimistic. In the Indian context, where bargaining and last-minute changes are common (like in vegetable markets or travel), can a rigid AI agent really cope? Human nuance is still important.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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