The debate is shifting as early examples show AI shopping agents completing transactions in some markets. According to NielsenIQ, a leading consumer intelligence company, its global report The Commerce Revolution: Where East Meets West points to agentic commerce moving from experiment toward everyday infrastructure. According to Ant Group, Alipay AI Pay processed more than 120 million transactions during the week of February 5–11, 2026, while Adobe Analytics reported that traffic from generative AI sources to US retail websites increased by 1,200% between July 2024 and February 2025.This is the second release in NielsenIQ’s mid-year read of the global commerce shift, building on evidence that retail’s center of gravity has moved East. AI is emerging as the connective layer across commerce formats—from live and social to quick commerce. Yet NielsenIQ’s own consumer data shows a clear gap between AI capability and shopper trust. While consumers are increasingly comfortable using AI to research and recommend, few are ready to let it complete purchases.“While much of the West is still debating whether AI will shop for us, in parts of Asia it already is, quietly completing purchases at a scale most boardrooms haven’t registered,” said Emilie Darolles, President West Europe at NielsenIQ. “But the real story is not just what AI can do — it’s what shoppers will allow it to do. Consumers are increasingly happy to let AI research and recommend, yet very few are ready to let it buy. The next phase of agentic commerce will be won by the brands that earn enough trust to be chosen by both the consumer and the agent.” NoYesE-Commerce30 Jul, 2026