In a major step toward the future of shopping, Visa has announced a new partnership with top artificial intelligence (AI) companies. The idea? To allow AI systems to use your credit card to make purchases – but only under your control.
This move could change how we shop online, making things faster and more convenient. But it also raises concerns about privacy and security.
Visa Joins Hands with Leading AI Companies
Visa, the global payments company based in California, is teaming up with well-known AI developers. These include OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic, Perplexity, and Mistral.
Together, they want to build a system where AI assistants can do more than just suggest products. The goal is to let these AI tools actually buy things for you, using your Visa card – while still respecting your rules and limits.
How Will AI Shopping Work?
Right now, most AI agents can help you search for products but stop at checkout. They’ll suggest options, then ask you to make the final decision and payment.
Visa wants to remove that extra step. They believe AI should be able to complete the purchase too, as long as it follows clear instructions set by the user.
For example, you could tell your AI assistant: “Book a flight between Mumbai and Delhi, but don’t spend more than ₹1,25,000.” The AI would then search, find the best option, and confirm the booking after checking with you.
Just like how your smartphone can act as a digital wallet, Visa wants your AI assistant to do the same.
Where AI Shopping Will Be Most Useful
Visa says AI agents will be most helpful with boring or time-consuming tasks. These include:
Grocery shopping – Your AI can reorder regular items each week.
Travel planning – It can find flights, book hotels, and manage your schedule.
But for more personal or emotional purchases, like buying a gift or expensive jewellery, you might still want to shop yourself. Visa agrees that AI won’t take over every part of the shopping experience.
Concerns About Privacy and Data
While the idea sounds convenient, some people are worried. Experts say giving AI access to your money could put your private data at risk.
Ben Winters, a privacy advocate from the Consumer Federation of America, warns that it’s not just Visa handling your payments anymore – it’s also the AI companies. These companies often rely on data to improve their services, and that could raise questions about how your information is used.
What People Are Saying Online
On social media, many people are not so sure about this new idea. Some Facebook users shared strong opinions after reading about Visa’s plan.
One said, “That is weird and scary.” Another wrote, “I will cut my card before I let a robot buy things for me.”
Some users even worried that this could give hackers a new way to steal money.
Other Companies Also Jumping In
Visa is not alone in exploring AI-powered shopping. Other payment companies like Mastercard and PayPal are also working on similar projects. It looks like AI will become a bigger part of online shopping in the future, whether people are ready or not.
Visa’s new partnership with AI companies is a big move towards making shopping easier and more automatic. If done safely, AI could save people time on everyday tasks. But it also brings up important questions about privacy and control. As these changes roll out, companies must ensure that users remain in charge of their money — not the machines.