Visa Inc., one of the world’s largest payments networks, connecting consumers, banks, and businesses, is now ramping up efforts to build the infrastructure needed for a new era of commerce in which artificial intelligence can independently complete purchases on behalf of consumers.
Visa said it is advancing its “agentic commerce” strategy, systems that allow AI-powered agents to search, select and pay for goods, backed by its global payments network and security architecture. The initiative is anchored on its broader Visa Intelligent Commerce platform, designed to integrate AI directly into payment flows.
The company said it is “on track to deliver secure, personalised AI-enabled commerce…by early 2026,” signalling that autonomous shopping systems are moving closer to mainstream adoption.
The shift represents a significant evolution in digital payments, moving beyond AI-assisted recommendations to fully automated transactions. Visa noted that “real-world agentic commerce is already happening,” following successful pilot transactions conducted with partners.
The company’s projections indicate that the change could be imminent. “In 2026, AI agents won’t just assist your shopping-they will complete your purchases,” Visa said, highlighting the scale of transformation expected in consumer behaviour.
To support this transition, Visa is also expanding partnerships with technology firms, including collaboration with Amazon Web Services to develop infrastructure that enables businesses to deploy AI-driven commerce systems more easily.
The company is further building trust frameworks and security protocols to ensure that merchants can distinguish legitimate AI agents from malicious bots, a critical step as machines begin to transact directly within payment ecosystems.
Speaking on the broader opportunity, Visa’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Jack Forestell, described the development of AI-driven commerce as unprecedented in scale, noting that it represents “a bigger growth opportunity” than any seen since the early days of e-commerce.
Visa also said AI agents could soon operate across its vast network of billions of payment credentials and millions of merchants worldwide, enabling consumers to delegate routine purchases, such as travel bookings and everyday shopping, to automated systems.
The push comes amid growing competition in the payments industry, as rivals and fintech firms explore similar capabilities that allow AI systems to initiate and complete transactions securely.
Analysts say the emergence of autonomous AI shoppers could redefine online retail, introducing faster, more personalised and continuous purchasing experiences, while also raising new questions around security, control and consumer trust.
With pilots already underway and infrastructure rapidly evolving, Visa’s latest moves suggest that the transition from human-led to AI-driven commerce may arrive sooner than previously expected.
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