AI adoption trends reveal gaps in commercial readiness and consumer trust

Recent studies highlight a growing gap between the adoption of artificial intelligence in business and the actual readiness of commercial systems to handle automated transactions. A report by PayPal and IFOP involving 301 French companies found that 80% of businesses already use AI daily, often for content production, support, or analysis. However, the rise of ‘agentic commerce’—where AI assistants manage the entire purchase process—faces significant hurdles. Many companies lack the integrated data infrastructure required to ensure product availability, pricing accuracy, and fraud prevention, with 78% of respondents seeking external partners to deploy these complex systems.

Complementing this, research from The Trade Desk and PA Consulting indicates how consumers interact with AI during the purchasing journey. Consumers are 1.2 times more likely to use AI for initial research or to narrow down options, using it for tasks such as obtaining quick answers (47%) or simplifying information (30%). Despite high intended usage, trust remains low; 87% of respondents do not fully trust AI, and 95% verify AI-generated information through other sources. Consequently, consumers show a preference for the ‘open web’ to finalize decisions and purchases, citing it as a more trustworthy environment for verification and comparison.