Rise of the shopping bots
Behind the digital counter
Who is to blame when bots go wild?
The future of human-free malls
nic First AI-to-AI Transaction
An AI agent paid another in USDC (paid in USDC!) / to buy some data tokens on Base (on the Base network!)
nic New software agents navigate websites, fill out forms, and use saved payment details to book flights through secure integrations.
Which computer interface technology allows AI agents to interact directly with other software systems to make purchases?
nic Fintech startups build single-use virtual cards with strict spending limits for AI agents.
AI shopping: In 2015, an art group programmed a bot that randomly bought items on the darknet, including ecstasy and a passport, sparking a real police investigation.
What retail pricing model might become obsolete if AI agents negotiate every transaction?
How much did the AI-driven service DoNotPay save users on average per year by negotiating bills?
An automated software application that searches the internet to compare product prices and details for consumers. In December 2025, Morgan Stanley analyzed how automated shopping bots are transforming online retail marketplaces.
Which network protocol enabled early machine-to-machine micro-payments for AI agents in 2023?
What is the term for tiny financial transactions, often worth less than a cent, used by AI agents?