DUBAI: UAE consumers are showing the strongest interest in AI-powered shopping, according to a new report by global digital payments company Checkout.com.
The report, titled Agentic Commerce 2026: The State of Consumer Demand and Merchant Readiness, looked at how ready consumers and businesses are for “agentic commerce.”
This refers to AI shopping agents that can search, compare, decide, and complete purchases for users.
Checkout.com said UAE shoppers are ahead of all other surveyed regions in the speed of adoption.
Among UAE consumers who are not yet using the technology, many expect AI agents to handle at least 10 percent of their online shopping within only 12 months.
Contents
- Many UAE Consumers Trust AI to Buy for Them
- Shoppers Open to Sharing Personal Data
- Event Tickets, Finance, and Hidden Purchases
- What UAE Shoppers Should Watch Next
- Many UAE Consumers Trust AI to Buy for Them
- Shoppers Open to Sharing Personal Data
- Event Tickets, Finance, and Hidden Purchases
- What UAE Shoppers Should Watch Next
Many UAE Consumers Trust AI to Buy for Them
The study found that 79 percent of UAE consumers are comfortable letting AI complete a purchase on their behalf.
Only 2 percent said nothing would motivate them to use an AI shopping agent.
The report also showed a major shift in trust.
Nearly two-thirds, or 64 percent, of UAE consumers said they would trust an AI shopping agent more than their own family members to shop for them.
This was much higher than the United States at 27 percent and the United Kingdom at 25 percent.
Another 64 percent of UAE respondents said they believe AI could buy clothes that suit them better than they could choose for themselves.
Shoppers Open to Sharing Personal Data
The report also showed that UAE consumers are more open to using AI in sensitive areas.
Nearly one in four UAE consumers, or 24 percent, said they are comfortable sharing salary, disposable income, and real-time bank balance details with an AI shopping agent.
Another 19 percent said they would allow AI access to their personal calendar.
Some shoppers are also willing to let AI make product decisions.
About 71 percent of UAE shoppers said they would allow AI to switch their preferred brands or replace products if it found a better value option.
However, 24 percent said they would feel more confident if the AI only bought from retailers or brands they had already approved.
Event Tickets, Finance, and Hidden Purchases
Convenience is one of the main reasons UAE shoppers are interested in AI shopping.
The report found that 72 percent would use AI to beat online queues for festival or event tickets.
It also found that 22 percent would consider delegating financial services and insurance purchases to AI.
Meanwhile, 62 percent said they would use an AI shopping agent to buy items without telling anyone.
What UAE Shoppers Should Watch Next
Checkout.com Chief Marketing Officer Rory O’Neill said agentic commerce is quickly moving from idea to reality, but the systems behind it are still being developed.
He said consumers need clear controls for security, refunds, permissions, and spending limits.
For UAE residents, this means AI shopping may become more common soon.
Before using it, shoppers should check what data they are sharing, what spending limits are set, and who is responsible if the AI makes a wrong purchase.UAE consumers are showing the strongest interest in AI-powered shopping, according to a new report by global digital payments company Checkout.com.
The report, titled Agentic Commerce 2026: The State of Consumer Demand and Merchant Readiness, looked at how ready consumers and businesses are for “agentic commerce.”
This refers to AI shopping agents that can search, compare, decide, and complete purchases for users.
Checkout.com said UAE shoppers are ahead of all other surveyed regions in the speed of adoption.
Among UAE consumers who are not yet using the technology, many expect AI agents to handle at least 10 percent of their online shopping within only 12 months.
Many UAE Consumers Trust AI to Buy for Them
The study found that 79 percent of UAE consumers are comfortable letting AI complete a purchase on their behalf.
Only 2 percent said nothing would motivate them to use an AI shopping agent.
The report also showed a major shift in trust.
Nearly two-thirds, or 64 percent, of UAE consumers said they would trust an AI shopping agent more than their own family members to shop for them.
This was much higher than the United States at 27 percent and the United Kingdom at 25 percent.
Another 64 percent of UAE respondents said they believe AI could buy clothes that suit them better than they could choose for themselves.
Shoppers Open to Sharing Personal Data
The report also showed that UAE consumers are more open to using AI in sensitive areas.
Nearly one in four UAE consumers, or 24 percent, said they are comfortable sharing salary, disposable income, and real-time bank balance details with an AI shopping agent.
Another 19 percent said they would allow AI access to their personal calendar.
Some shoppers are also willing to let AI make product decisions.
About 71 percent of UAE shoppers said they would allow AI to switch their preferred brands or replace products if it found a better value option.
However, 24 percent said they would feel more confident if the AI only bought from retailers or brands they had already approved.
Event Tickets, Finance, and Hidden Purchases
Convenience is one of the main reasons UAE shoppers are interested in AI shopping.
The report found that 72 percent would use AI to beat online queues for festival or event tickets.
It also found that 22 percent would consider delegating financial services and insurance purchases to AI.
Meanwhile, 62 percent said they would use an AI shopping agent to buy items without telling anyone.
What UAE Shoppers Should Watch Next
Checkout.com Chief Marketing Officer Rory O’Neill said agentic commerce is quickly moving from idea to reality, but the systems behind it are still being developed.
He said consumers need clear controls for security, refunds, permissions, and spending limits.
For UAE residents, this means AI shopping may become more common soon.
Before using it, shoppers should check what data they are sharing, what spending limits are set, and who is responsible if the AI makes a wrong purchase.
