Is AI about to take control of your credit card? What this credit card company has planned next will shock you!
- Replies 0
Imagine this: You wake up, pour your morning coffee, and while you’re still in your robe, your groceries are already ordered, your holiday gifts are on their way, and your next flight is booked—all without you lifting a finger.
Sound like science fiction? Visa is betting it’s the future, and it’s coming sooner than you think.
Welcome to the Age of the AI Shopping Agent
For years, we’ve heard about artificial intelligence (AI) as a helpful assistant—answering questions, writing emails, or suggesting recipes. But now, Visa wants to take things a giant leap further.
The payment giant is teaming up with some of the world’s leading AI developers—including OpenAI (the folks behind ChatGPT), Microsoft, Anthropic, Perplexity, and France’s Mistral—to create AI “agents” that don’t just recommend what to buy… they actually buy it for you.
That’s right: Visa is working to let AI agents access your credit card (with your permission, of course) so they can shop on your behalf.
Whether it’s finding the best deal on a new sweater, restocking your pantry, or booking your next vacation, these digital helpers could soon handle the entire process—from search to purchase—while you sit back and relax.
How Does It Work?
Think of these AI agents as supercharged personal shoppers. You set your preferences and budget, and the AI does the rest.
Want to spend no more than $100 on groceries? Need a flight to Florida under $400?
The AI will scour the web, compare options, and—if you approve—make the purchase using your Visa card.
Jack Forestell, Visa’s chief product and strategy officer, calls this “transformational, on the order of magnitude of the advent of e-commerce itself.” In other words, it could change the way we shop as much as online shopping did in the 1990s.
Also read: Discover how computers are changing conversations–What does this mean for the future?
Why Now? And Why Visa?
While AI chatbots have gotten pretty good at answering questions and making recommendations, they’ve hit a wall when it comes to actually completing purchases.
Most can tell you where to buy something, but they can’t check out for you. That’s where Visa comes in.
By connecting their payment network to these AI agents, Visa is solving the “last mile” of digital shopping: secure, trusted payments.
They’re also working with IBM, Stripe, and Samsung to make sure the technology is safe, reliable, and ready for prime time.
What About Security and Control?
If the idea of an AI spending your money makes you nervous, you’re not alone.
Visa says they’re building in strict controls. You’ll be able to set spending limits, approve purchases, and decide exactly what your AI agent can (and can’t) do.
At first, the AI will likely check with you before making big purchases. Over time, as you get more comfortable, you might let it handle routine buys on its own.
And if something goes wrong? Visa promises the same protections you get with your regular credit card—dispute resolution, fraud monitoring, and the ability to shut things down if needed.
Source: CNBC Television / Youtube.
Will This Help or Hurt with Credit Card Debt?
It’s a fair question, especially since Americans’ credit card balances hit a record $1.21 trillion last year.
Visa says the key is giving consumers control: you set the rules, the AI follows them. In theory, this could help you stick to a budget—no more impulse buys at the checkout line!
But as with any new technology, it’s important to stay vigilant and review your statements regularly.
What’s in It for You?
- Time Savings: No more endless scrolling or comparing prices. Your AI agent does the legwork.
- Personalization: The AI can learn your preferences (with your consent), making smarter recommendations over time.
- Convenience: Routine tasks like grocery shopping or booking travel could become “set it and forget it.”
- Potential Savings: By comparing deals across the web, your AI could help you find the best prices.
Also read: Experts reveal timeline for technology to surpass human intelligence—are you prepared?
What’s Next?
Visa is launching pilot programs with its AI partners now, with wider rollout expected next year.
The technology is still in its early days, but the groundwork is being laid for a future where shopping could be as easy as saying, “Hey, buy me what I need.”
Read next: Alone with a panic attack? Here's how ChatGPT stepped in
Would you trust an AI agent with your credit card? What would you want it to buy for you—or NOT buy? Do you see this as a time-saving revolution, or does it make you uneasy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Sound like science fiction? Visa is betting it’s the future, and it’s coming sooner than you think.
Welcome to the Age of the AI Shopping Agent
For years, we’ve heard about artificial intelligence (AI) as a helpful assistant—answering questions, writing emails, or suggesting recipes. But now, Visa wants to take things a giant leap further.
The payment giant is teaming up with some of the world’s leading AI developers—including OpenAI (the folks behind ChatGPT), Microsoft, Anthropic, Perplexity, and France’s Mistral—to create AI “agents” that don’t just recommend what to buy… they actually buy it for you.
That’s right: Visa is working to let AI agents access your credit card (with your permission, of course) so they can shop on your behalf.
Whether it’s finding the best deal on a new sweater, restocking your pantry, or booking your next vacation, these digital helpers could soon handle the entire process—from search to purchase—while you sit back and relax.
Visa is partnering with leading AI companies to allow artificial intelligence “agents” to access your credit card and make purchases on your behalf. Image source: Aleksandrs Karevs / Unsplash.
How Does It Work?
Think of these AI agents as supercharged personal shoppers. You set your preferences and budget, and the AI does the rest.
Want to spend no more than $100 on groceries? Need a flight to Florida under $400?
The AI will scour the web, compare options, and—if you approve—make the purchase using your Visa card.
Jack Forestell, Visa’s chief product and strategy officer, calls this “transformational, on the order of magnitude of the advent of e-commerce itself.” In other words, it could change the way we shop as much as online shopping did in the 1990s.
Also read: Discover how computers are changing conversations–What does this mean for the future?
Why Now? And Why Visa?
While AI chatbots have gotten pretty good at answering questions and making recommendations, they’ve hit a wall when it comes to actually completing purchases.
Most can tell you where to buy something, but they can’t check out for you. That’s where Visa comes in.
By connecting their payment network to these AI agents, Visa is solving the “last mile” of digital shopping: secure, trusted payments.
They’re also working with IBM, Stripe, and Samsung to make sure the technology is safe, reliable, and ready for prime time.
What About Security and Control?
If the idea of an AI spending your money makes you nervous, you’re not alone.
Visa says they’re building in strict controls. You’ll be able to set spending limits, approve purchases, and decide exactly what your AI agent can (and can’t) do.
At first, the AI will likely check with you before making big purchases. Over time, as you get more comfortable, you might let it handle routine buys on its own.
And if something goes wrong? Visa promises the same protections you get with your regular credit card—dispute resolution, fraud monitoring, and the ability to shut things down if needed.
Source: CNBC Television / Youtube.
Will This Help or Hurt with Credit Card Debt?
It’s a fair question, especially since Americans’ credit card balances hit a record $1.21 trillion last year.
Visa says the key is giving consumers control: you set the rules, the AI follows them. In theory, this could help you stick to a budget—no more impulse buys at the checkout line!
But as with any new technology, it’s important to stay vigilant and review your statements regularly.
What’s in It for You?
- Time Savings: No more endless scrolling or comparing prices. Your AI agent does the legwork.
- Personalization: The AI can learn your preferences (with your consent), making smarter recommendations over time.
- Convenience: Routine tasks like grocery shopping or booking travel could become “set it and forget it.”
- Potential Savings: By comparing deals across the web, your AI could help you find the best prices.
Also read: Experts reveal timeline for technology to surpass human intelligence—are you prepared?
What’s Next?
Visa is launching pilot programs with its AI partners now, with wider rollout expected next year.
The technology is still in its early days, but the groundwork is being laid for a future where shopping could be as easy as saying, “Hey, buy me what I need.”
Read next: Alone with a panic attack? Here's how ChatGPT stepped in
Would you trust an AI agent with your credit card? What would you want it to buy for you—or NOT buy? Do you see this as a time-saving revolution, or does it make you uneasy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
