Many Consumers Say ‘No Thanks’ to Agent-Based Payments

Why It Matters

The findings highlight that consumer trust, not technology, will dictate the pace at which AI‑driven purchasing becomes mainstream, forcing fintechs to prioritize safeguards and clear liability frameworks.

Key Takeaways

• 55% of surveyed shoppers distrust AI agents making purchases
• 61.5% use AI tools for product discovery and recommendations
• AmEx launches SDK and protection program for agentic commerce
• 73.9% expect biometrics or OTP safeguards for AI transactions
• Trust gap will slow agentic commerce growth

Pulse Analysis

Agentic commerce—where AI agents act on a shopper’s behalf—has moved from concept to pilot projects, yet consumer sentiment remains cautious. Riskified’s latest pulse reveals that more than half of respondents still balk at relinquishing purchase control, even though a solid majority already rely on AI for product recommendations. This paradox underscores a classic adoption curve: convenience drives usage, but trust governs full integration. As AI recommendation engines mature, the next hurdle is convincing users that autonomous checkout won’t compromise security or financial responsibility.

Recognizing the trust deficit, major payment players are laying the groundwork for a secure agentic ecosystem. American Express introduced a developer kit that simplifies credit‑card integration for AI agents and paired it with a purchase‑protection program that places liability on the AI platform. Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan Payments is collaborating with fintech Mirakl to build the backend infrastructure needed for transparent, auditable transactions. Both initiatives aim to answer the survey’s top concerns—who bears responsibility for unauthorized purchases and what authentication methods are required—by embedding biometrics, one‑time passwords, and clear dispute pathways into the transaction flow.

The broader market implication is clear: fintechs and merchants that proactively embed trust mechanisms will capture early‑adopter revenue, while laggards risk being sidelined as consumers gravitate toward platforms that guarantee accountability. As AI agents become more capable, regulatory scrutiny around liability and data privacy will intensify, making robust security architectures not just a competitive advantage but a compliance necessity. Companies that can balance seamless AI‑driven experiences with transparent risk controls are poised to lead the next wave of digital commerce.