https://mail.innews.az/uploads/news/2026-10/_innews_1a211d21df67c7f4f92d779bb_o.jpg
- According to Mastercard research conducted among 26,000 people across 13 markets, 62% of young people and 49% of parents use AI for product research at least once a month.
- Mastercard’s new report explores how consumer control and trust can be maintained as AI agents take on a greater role in shopping and payments.
Mastercard has published A Short History of the Future of Shopping and Payments, a new report exploring how artificial intelligence could reshape the way people discover products, make purchasing decisions and pay. The research behind the report surveyed 13,000 pairs of young people aged 13 to 18 and their parents across 13 markets. The findings show that 79% of young people and 70% of parents have used AI to research products over the past year.
Mastercard’s research also suggests that AI is becoming part of regular shopping habits. 62% of young people and 49% of parents use AI for product research at least once a month. 61% of young people say they would be at least somewhat willing to use a comprehensive AI assistant capable of managing the shopping process on their behalf. Some 67% of parents believe their children’s generation will be more comfortable shopping with AI than they are.
Users will set the boundaries as AI moves from research to purchase
The report examines the emergence of agentic commerce, where AI moves beyond helping people find products and compare options to taking actions on their behalf. It looks at this shift from three perspectives: the consumer shopping experience, retailers’ relationships with their customers, and the trust infrastructure needed to enable payments.
For example, an AI agent could compare flight options or prepare a basket for a regular grocery shop. Whether it can go one step further and complete the purchase would depend on the permissions set by the user.
According to the report, wider adoption of agentic commerce will depend on maintaining clear consumer control. This includes verifying who the AI agent is acting for, setting clear spending limits and allowing users to decide when additional approval is required. Consumers should also have clarity on what happens if an incorrect or unexpected transaction occurs.
Verifiable information becomes increasingly important for retailers
As AI agents begin evaluating options on behalf of consumers, the way retailers make information available will also need to evolve. Price, stock availability, delivery and return conditions will increasingly need to be accessible to AI agents, while claims around product features and sustainability will need to be supported by verifiable information.
Mastercard’s report also highlights the role of trust in the payment process. Beyond protecting payment credentials, this means being able to verify the identity of an AI agent and confirm that it has the authority to make a particular transaction. This can help ensure that purchases made on a consumer’s behalf remain within the limits and permissions they have set.
Research note: The online research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of Mastercard in June and July 2026 across Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Azerbaijan was not included in the research sample.
About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
www.mastercard.com
Ən son xəbərləri səhifəmizdən də izləyin
