Agentic AI Commerce Could Hit 1.3 Billion Users by 2031. Are We Ready to Let Agentic AI Spend Our Money?

AI commerce powered by agentic AI could reach 1.3 billion users and process $3.5 trillion in transactions by 2031, according to Juniper Research. But as AI prepares to shop, negotiate, and pay on our behalf, are consumers embracing convenience, or quietly surrendering control over their financial decisions?

AI commerce is moving from futuristic concept to economic reality. According to Juniper Research's latest Agentic Commerce Market: 2026-2031 study, the number of people using agentic AI for commerce is expected to surge from fewer than 300 million in 2026 to 1.3 billion by 2031. During the same period, transaction value is projected to skyrocket from $8 billion to $3.5 trillion.

The numbers are staggering. But they also raise an uncomfortable question.

If agentic AI is going to make purchases for us, who is really making the decisions?

The research attributes the explosive growth to three major forces, increasing retailer support for AI-driven shopping, rising consumer confidence in AI systems, and expanding payment infrastructure designed specifically for autonomous AI agents.

Retailers are rapidly preparing for a future where customers may no longer browse products themselves. Instead, AI agents could compare prices, negotiate offers, place orders, and even manage recurring purchases with minimal human involvement.

"Cards increasingly support agent payments through tokenisation, but card domination within agentic commerce is not in the market's best interests. Failure to support local payment methods such as digital wallets and account-to-account payments will limit the market's overall growth potential." said Nick Maynard, Vice President of Research, Juniper Research

Juniper Research also highlighted that card networks currently dominate early agentic commerce payment systems through tokenization and pilot programs. However, Vice President of Research Nick Maynard warned that relying too heavily on cards could slow long-term adoption. The report argues that supporting local payment methods, including digital wallets and account-to-account payments, will be essential if AI commerce is to achieve mainstream acceptance across global markets.

Yet the biggest hurdle may not be technology at all.

Consumer trust remains relatively low today, even as AI becomes deeply embedded in daily life. While businesses see autonomous shopping as the next trillion-dollar opportunity, many consumers still hesitate to hand financial authority to software.

Will people really trust agentic AI to spend their salaries, compare financial products, or choose healthcare subscriptions without second-guessing every decision?

The commercial opportunity is undeniable. So is the risk.

Businesses see a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity. Consumers see software taking over financial decisions once reserved for people. As AI commerce races toward a $3.5 trillion future, The Silicon Review asks if agentic AI starts shopping for us, who really controls our money?

 FAQ:

Q: What is AI commerce?
A: AI commerce is the use of artificial intelligence to discover products, compare prices, make purchasing decisions, and complete transactions with minimal human involvement.

Q: What is agentic AI?
A: Agentic AI refers to autonomous AI systems that can plan, make decisions, and execute tasks such as shopping, negotiating prices, and processing payments on a user's behalf.

Q: How big could the AI commerce market become?
A: Juniper Research forecasts AI commerce transactions will grow from $8 billion in 2026 to $3.5 trillion by 2031, with 1.3 billion users worldwide.

Q: What is driving the growth of AI commerce?
A: The biggest growth drivers are retailer adoption of AI shopping agents, rising consumer trust in AI, and payment systems designed for autonomous transactions.

Q: Why are payment methods important for agentic AI?
A: Supporting local payment options, including digital wallets and account-to-account payments, will be critical for expanding AI commerce beyond traditional card networks.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing AI commerce?
A: Consumer trust remains the biggest hurdle, as many people are still reluctant to let AI make financial decisions on their behalf.