Visa says new AI pilot completed hundreds of automated transactions

Visa (V) said Thursday that it has completed hundreds of artificial intelligence-driven transactions through a pilot program launched after a product event held in April.

The company said the program tested tools designed to allow consumers to automate certain purchases using AI agents. The effort is part of a broader push by Visa and other financial technology companies to integrate AI into shopping and payments.

Visa said the pilot demonstrated that AI agents can successfully complete real transactions on behalf of customers. The company did not disclose the total value of the transactions or the specific merchants involved.

Rubail Birwadker, Visa’s head of growth products and partnerships, said consumer adoption of AI-driven shopping tools is accelerating. He said 2025 is shaping up to be a year when consumers become more comfortable using AI agents across different environments.

Visa said AI is reshaping how shoppers search for products and complete purchases online. The company said automation could simplify recurring purchases and time-sensitive transactions.

Other major payment and e-commerce companies are testing similar technologies. Mastercard said in April that it was piloting a feature called Agent Pay, which allows AI agents to shop online for customers.

Amazon also began testing a “Buy For Me” feature in April that enables AI-assisted purchases. PayPal has partnered with Perplexity to develop agent-based shopping tools.

Earlier in December, Visa released survey data showing that nearly half of U.S. shoppers have used AI in connection with purchases. The company said the findings suggest growing consumer familiarity with AI-powered shopping experiences.

Birwadker said the tools may be especially useful for predictable purchases or limited-availability items such as concert tickets. He said AI agents could help consumers act more quickly and consistently.

Visa said it plans to expand its testing with pilot programs in Asia and Europe next year. The company said it is currently working with more than 20 partners on AI agent tools.

Visa did not provide a timeline for a broader public rollout. The company said it will continue to evaluate the technology as adoption grows across the industry.