Mastercard report: AI agents to handle 10% of online shopping by 2030

A Mastercard report predicts a structural shift in global e-commerce by 2030, driven by the rise of AI agents. The study, titled ‘A Short History of the Future of Shopping and Payments’, suggests that approximately 300 million online shoppers—roughly 10% of digital consumers—will regularly use autonomous AI agents to complete purchases.

This transition toward ‘agentic commerce’ implies that AI will move beyond simple recommendation tools to actively executing routine transactions. These tasks include purchasing groceries, medications, and managing recurring subscriptions. Experts suggest that while machines handle repetitive, essential acquisitions, human shopping may evolve into an activity focused on discovery, inspiration, and pleasure.