Consumers in the UAE are emerging as some of the most receptive globally to AI-powered shopping, according to new research from Checkout.com, which found growing demand for agentic commerce despite concerns around trust, accountability and supporting infrastructure.

The findings were published in the company’s report, Agentic Commerce 2026: The State of Consumer Demand and Merchant Readiness, which examined consumer attitudes towards AI agents capable of making purchases on behalf of users.

Among UAE consumers who do not yet use AI shopping tools, respondents expect agentic commerce to account for at least 10% of their online purchases on average within the next year. 

The report found that 79% of UAE consumers are comfortable allowing an AI agent to complete purchases on their behalf, while only 2% said they had no interest in using the technology.

The research also highlighted unusually high levels of trust in AI among UAE consumers. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would trust an AI shopping agent more than family members to make purchases for them, while a similar proportion believed AI could select clothing better than they could themselves.

The willingness to share personal information with AI was also notable. Around 24% of respondents said they would be comfortable providing salary details, disposable income and real-time bank balance information to an AI agent, while 19% would allow access to their personal calendars.

The study found that AI-driven shopping could also reshape traditional brand loyalty. Some 71% of UAE consumers said they would allow an AI shopping agent to switch brands or substitute products if it identified a better-value alternative. However, 24% said their confidence would increase if the AI were restricted to purchasing only from pre-approved retailers and brands.

Convenience remains the primary driver of adoption, although UAE consumers appear more willing than their Western counterparts to delegate complex purchasing decisions. Around 22% said they would consider using AI agents for financial services and insurance products, while 72% would use the technology to bypass digital queues for event or festival tickets.

The report also found that 62% of respondents would use an AI shopping agent to make purchases on their behalf without informing others, highlighting the growing acceptance of autonomous purchasing tools.

As adoption grows, consumers are increasingly looking to financial institutions to resolve potential issues. If an AI agent makes an incorrect purchase or incurs unexpected costs, 17% of UAE respondents believe payment providers, banks, or card issuers should bear primary responsibility for resolving the issue and issuing refunds.

Rory O’Neill, Chief Marketing Officer at Checkout.com, said agentic commerce is rapidly evolving from concept to reality as consumers begin experimenting with AI-driven purchasing tools.

He noted that while adoption is accelerating and industry collaboration on standards is increasing, the underlying infrastructure is still under development. O’Neill said clear controls around security, refunds, permissions and spending limits will be essential to building consumer confidence and supporting wider adoption of AI-powered commerce.