Visa Research Shows Trust Is Crucial for AI-Powered Shopping
A Visa survey found that while 72% of consumers have used AI assistants, only 23% trust them to handle financial transactions. Visa itself earned a 61% trust rating as a payment brand for AI transactions. Small businesses can build customer confidence by partnering with established payment providers.
The survey reveals a stark divide between consumer familiarity with AI and their confidence in it for financial tasks. While most respondents have used AI assistants, only a fraction trust them with money. Visa’s own high trust rating indicates that established payment brands can bridge this gap, serving as a reliable intermediary for AI-driven purchases.
For small businesses, this suggests that adopting AI tools is not enough; they must align with reputable payment infrastructure. The report also notes that overcoming this trust barrier involves clear customer education about security measures. Additionally, businesses face practical hurdles like implementation costs and navigating data protection regulations, making compliance a key part of building that trust.
The trust gap could shape the pace of AI adoption in retail. If consumers continue to rely on established payment brands, small businesses may need to partner with them to stay relevant, potentially increasing costs but also security. Conversely, a lack of trust could slow the rollout of agentic commerce, limiting convenience for consumers. The divide between early adopters and cautious users may also widen, affecting how different demographics shop online.