The Cross-Chain Giant Set for 1,000%+ Gains

This multi-chain protocol's volume is exploding while its price is still under the radar. Institutions are moving in fast-get our urgent report before retail wakes up.

Visa wants to give artificial intelligence 'agents' your credit card

MATT O'BRIEN
April 30, 2025

Artificial intelligence "agents" are supposed to be more than chatbots. The tech industry has spent months pitching AI personal assistants that know what you want and can do real work on your behalf.

So far, they're not doing much.

Visa hopes to change that by giving them your credit card. Set a budget and some preferences and these AI agents -- successors to ChatGPT and its chatbot peers -- could find and buy you a sweater, weekly groceries or an airplane ticket.

"We think this could be really important," said Jack Forestell, Visa's chief product and strategy officer, in an interview. "Transformational, on the order of magnitude of the advent of e-commerce itself."

Visa announced Wednesday it is partnering with a group of leading AI chatbot developers -- among them U.S. companies Anthropic, Microsoft, OpenAI and Perplexity, and France's Mistral -- to connect their AI systems to Visa's payments network. Visa is also working with IBM, online payment company Stripe and phone-maker Samsung on the initiative. Pilot projects begin Wednesday, ahead of more widespread usage expected next year.

The San Francisco payment processing company is betting that what seems futuristic now could become a convenient alternative to our most mundane shopping tasks in the near future. It has spent the past six months working with AI developers to address technical obstacles that must be overcome before the average consumer is going to use it.

For emerging AI companies, Visa's backing could also boost their chances of competing with tech giants Amazon and Google, which dominate digital commerce and are developing their own AI agents.

The tech industry is already full of demonstrations of the capabilities of what it calls agentic AI, though few are yet found in the real world. Most are still refashioned versions of large language models -- the generative AI technology behind chatbots that can write emails, summarize documents or help people code. Trained on huge troves of data, they can scour the internet and bring back recommendations for things to buy, but they have a harder time going beyond that.

"The early incarnations of agent-based commerce are starting to do a really good job on the shopping and discovery dimension of the problem, but they are having tremendous trouble on payments," Forestell said. "You get to this point where the agents literally just turn it back around and say, 'OK, you go buy it.'

Visa sees itself as having a key role in giving AI agents easier and trusted access to the cash they need to make purchases.

"The payments problem is not something the AI platforms can solve by themselves," Forestell said. "That's why we started working with them."

The new AI initiative comes nearly a year after Visa revealed major changes to how credit and debit cards will operate in the U.S., making physical cards and their 16-digit numbers increasingly irrelevant.

Many consumers are already getting used to digital payment systems such as Apply Pay that turn their phones into a credit card. A similar process of vetting someone's digital credentials would authorize AI agents to work on a customer's behalf, in a way Forestell says must assure buyers, banks and merchants that the transactions are legitimate and that Visa will handle disputes.

Forestell said that doesn't mean AI agents will take over the entire shopping experience, but it might be useful for errands that either bore some people -- like groceries, home improvement items or even Christmas lists -- or are too complicated, like travel bookings. In those situations, some people might want an agent that "just powers through it and automatically goes and does stuff for us," Forestell said.

Other shopping experiences, such as for luxury goods, are a form of entertainment and many customers still want to immerse themselves in the choices and comparisons, Forestell said. In that case, he envisions AI agents still offering assistance but staying in the background.

And what about credit card debt? The credit card balances of American consumers hit $1.21 trillion at the end of last year, according to the Federal Reserve of New York.

Forestell says consumers will give their AI agents clear spending limits and conditions that should give them confidence that the human is still in control. At first, the AI agents are likely to come back to buyers to make sure they are OK with a specific airplane ticket. Over time, those agents might get more autonomy to "go spend up to $1,500 on any airline to get me from A to B," he said.

Part of what is attracting some AI developers to the Visa partnership is that, with a customer's consent, an AI agent can also tap into a lot of data about past credit card purchases.

"Visa has the ability for a user to consent to share streams of their transaction history with us," said Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity's chief business officer. "When we generate a recommendation -- say you're asking, 'What are the best laptops?' -- we would know what are other transactions you've made and the revealed preferences from that."

Perplexity's chatbot can already book hotels and make other purchases, but it's still in the early stages of AI commerce, Shevelenko says. The San Francisco startup has also, along with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, told a federal court it would consider buying Google's internet browser, Chrome, if the U.S. forces a breakup of the tech giant in a pending antitrust case.

Continue Reading...

Popular

Elon Musk's Ex-Wives Missed Out on His Billion-Dollar Wealth — Here's Why

In a stark contrast to Elon Musk's $364 billion fortune, his first wife Justine Wilson Musk is worth just $15 million.

Revolutionary $20,000 Electric Truck Hits the Market, Stripping Down to the Basics

Michigan-based Slate Auto is preparing to shake up the EV market with the introduction of its minimalist, highly affordable electric truck, the Slate Truck, which is priced under just $20,000.

The Most Important "AI Stock" You've Never Heard Of - Ad

The AI revolution is moving faster than anyone expected. But what no one is talking about is the one company AI simply can't exist without. It may be the single most important AI investment, yet most people don't even know its name. For now. The moment Wall Street catches on, this $20 stock could explode.

Bill Gates Says 'Luckily' His Daughter Phoebe Gates Never Asked Him To Back Her Business

Bill Gates is glad his daughter Phoebe never asked him to back her business, as it could have complicated their relationship.

Canadians put off by Trump's bluster and border arrests are booking far fewer US visits

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Diana and Rick Bellamy initially planned to take a Caribbean cruise out of Houston before heading to Laurel, Mississippi, to visit the home of one of their favorite HGTV shows, “Home Town.”

Do This Before Potential Tariff Announcement on May 15th - Ad

While the market whipsaws on every Trump tariff headline, Larry Benedict's readers have had the chance to quietly bank gains as high as 100%-sometimes in a single day. His 3-green-arrow system spots massive swings before they happen. The next setup hits May 15.

Rocket Lab Stock Is Shooting Higher Thursday: What's Fueling The Launch?

Rocket Lab USA Inc (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares are trading higher Thursday after the company announced it was selected by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:KTOS) to provide a hypersonic test flight for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

Musk's Ex-Wife Opens Up About Why Life With Elon Was So Difficult

Justine Wilson recently shed light on the complexities of their marriage and the challenges she faced being married to the Tesla CEO.

What's Better Than Drinking Award-Winning Beer? - Ad

Owning stock in the brewery that makes it. That's Westbound & Down's story. They blend gold-medal beer with elite dining, creating a brand customers seek. No wonder they're Colorado's most-awarded brewery and are retail partners with Whole Foods. And 1,835% distribution growth's just the start.

Tesla Stock Skyrockets 20% Following Elon Musk's Return and Shift From DOGE

Tesla shares have experienced a 20% surge following the announcement of CEO Elon Musk's return to the company.

A bushel of fruit and vegetable motifs give decor a healthy farmstand vibe

Interior designer and stylist Jonny Carmack has a “fruit room” in his Danbury, Connecticut, home. Colorful faux produce bedecks every inch, from the cherry-shaped ceiling fixture to a strawberry side table and a bunch of other juicy gems in decorative forms.

Elon Musk Drops Stunning Bombshell? - Ad

Behind closed doors, Musk revealed a game-changing breakthrough technology that could shake the tech world & crush major companies. Why is no one talking about it? Luckily, we had a man on the inside - watch now to see the details & how to profit!

Applied Digital (APLD) Secures $150M Preferred Equity Deal: What's Going On?

Applied Digital shares are trading higher by 14% during Thursday's session. The company announced it had entered into a Preferred Equity Purchase Agreement with select investors.

US And Ukraine Sign Mineral Resource Deal

U.S. and Ukraine sign deal for U.S. access to mineral resources, after tense negotiations between Trump and Zelensky. China remains key bottleneck.

Trump's Crypto Blueprint Unveils This Infrastructure Powerhouse - Ad

One blockchain token sits at the heart of Washington's pro-crypto agenda. Institutions are loading up while it still trades at a discount. Here's how to get in for $3.

Tens of thousands of Los Angeles County workers begin 2-day strike

LOS ANGELES (AP) — More than 50,000 Los Angeles county workers began a two-day strike Monday evening, closing libraries and disrupting administrative operations across the nation's most populous county.

Trump's Autonomous Vehicles Stance, Bezos Vs. Tesla, And More: This Week In Mobility

Autonomous driving & EV have seen significant developments this week: Trump's change of heart, Bezos-backed startups, & Tesla's declining sales.

Nvidia Is About to Shock the World: July 23rd - Ad

Jeff Brown, the tech legend who picked shares of Nvidia in 2016 before they jumped by more than 22,000%, is warning everyone to... Mark this date on your calendar: July 23rd! That's when Nvidia could help send shares of this Elon Musk supplier skyrocketing higher.

SoFi Stock Is Up 11% This Week: What's Going On?

Shares of SoFi Technologies have surged 11% since Monday's open. The company on Tuesday announced a strategic expansion into alternative investments.

Trump Boots Mike Waltz As National Security Adviser, Taps Marco Rubio As Interim Replacement

Trump ousts national security adviser Mike Waltz amid internal tensions and a messaging scandal, naming him UN ambassador and replacing him temporarily with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

No.1 Opportunity for 2025 [Take Action Now!] - Ad

Starlink's potential IPO Could Be the Biggest in History--Silicon Valley insider James Altucher has uncovered a way to profit BEFORE the IPO--with as little as $50. Musk's $180B giant is set to launch--will you miss out? Claim your spot before it's too late.

Palantir Smokes S&P 500 Peers With 393% Rally But Overheated Technicals Raise Red Flag Ahead Of Earnings

Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR) reports Q1 earnings on Monday, with Wall Street expecting 13 cents EPS and $862.83 million in revenues. Stock up 392.98% in past year, 65.29% YTD. Technicals show bullish trend but RSI suggests potential pullback. Analysts see 37% downside with consensus rating of Neutral and price target of $69.76.

China's Chip Breakthrough Without ASML Makes Chamath Palihapitiya Take Stock Of Beijing's 'Formidable' Nature: 'America Can Win If…'

Former Intel executive William Huo highlights China's breakthrough in producing 5nm chips without EUV technology, sparking concerns from Chamath Palihapitiya that the U.S. risks losing its technological edge to China without urgent innovation.

This Coin Could Surge Like Bitcoin Did Back in 2013... - Ad

A new coin is emerging in the crypto world. And investing in it now could end up like Bitcoin or Ethereum during their first bull runs.

Gold's Historic Surge Unlocking Value in These Mining Stocks

Surging gold prices have amplified the profitability of global gold mining companies. Here are some stocks to consider.

The Cross-Chain Giant Set for 1,000%+ Gains - Ad

This multi-chain protocol's volume is exploding while its price is still under the radar. Institutions are moving in fast-get our urgent report before retail wakes up.

Florida lawmakers approve changes to condo safety law passed after Surfside collapse

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a bill aimed at reforming a condominium safety law passed in 2022 in the wake of the partial collapse of Champlain Towers South, which in Surfside in June 2021.

60,000 Americans to lose their rental assistance and risk eviction unless Congress acts

Moments after Daniris Espinal walked into her new apartment in Brooklyn, she prayed. In ensuing nights, she would awaken and touch the walls for reassurance — finding in them a relief that turned to tears over her morning coffee.

This Intercept Stopped the Gold Sector Cold - Ad

114.26 g/t over 10.6m. That's not a typo. And it wasn't deep exploration-it was in an active mining zone.

Jeff Sperbeck, former agent for John Elway, dies after injury at 62

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Jeff Sperbeck, a business partner and former agent for NFL Hall of Famer John Elway, died Wednesday after suffering an injury last weekend at a Southern California golf resort community. He was 62.

Elon's Greatest Invention... Hidden in South Memphis? - Ad

Tech legend Jeff Brown recently traveled to the industrial zone of South Memphis to investigate what he believes will be Elon's greatest invention ever... Yes, even bigger than Tesla or SpaceX.

Trump's AI Education Push, Cramer's AI Stock Optimism, And More: This Week In Artificial Intelligence

Week full of AI news: Trump advocates for AI education, Cramer bullish on AI stocks, Amazon and Nvidia dismiss data center fears, OpenAI's restructuring raises concerns, Nadella's Microsoft introduces AI updates.

50 Major Companies That Will Likely Fail to Survive Trump's MAGA Economy - Ad

50 major companies that will likely fail to survive Trump's MAGA economy. Many have 5-star ratings. Most are "buys" per Wall Street. But they're dead companies.

Take Investment Advice From Shaq — His Fortune Grew Thanks To Charles Barkley and Donuts

Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal has seen a significant increase in his wealth, quadrupling his net worth through an investment strategy inspired by Amazon's CEO, Jeff Bezos.

UPS to cut 20,000 jobs, close some facilities as it reduces amount of Amazon shipments it handles

UPS is looking to slash about 20,000 jobs and close more than 70 facilities as it drastically reduces the amount of Amazon shipments it handles.

Biggest Dividend Payout in U.S. History: $1 Trillion up for Grabs! - Ad

Trump just launched a $1 trillion National Investment Fund to replace income taxes and send direct payouts to Americans. You could claim up to $21,307--before the first public checks go out. This is historic. Act now to be first in line.

Elon Musk Isn't 'Completely Out' Of DOGE — He's Just In 'Maintenance Mode,' Says David Sacks: 'If He Doesn't, There's Gonna Be A Huge Backsliding'

President Donald Trump's AI and Crypto Czar, David Sacks, on The All-In Podcast, shared his perspective on Elon Musk's recent decision to reduce his time commitment to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright priceactionea.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service