IPSOS DATA DROPS:
Boycotts in America
March 2025
Key Takeaways:
Gen Z is most on board with AI agents shopping on their behalf, but most Americans demand final authority over transactions and would restrict AI shopping agents to smaller purchases or preapproved brands.
Most consumers still want the final say when using AI for shopping
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While younger generations generally have a greater affinity for AI than older Americans, there is an underlying reluctance toward autonomous AI shoppers.
Only a quarter (27%) of Gen Z Americans — and just 4% of Gen X and Boomers —would trust an AI agent to choose and purchase a product on their behalf, sight unseen.
What's Next
Only a third of Americans open to agentic shopping would prefer to use the payment method already on file with a retailer if other options would save money or bring rewards — presenting a new opportunity for payment providers to increase share and disrupt the status quo.
Or visit the Ipsos Consumer Tracker archive and the Ipsos Top Topics page.
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IPSOS DATA DROPS:
Boycotts in America
March 2025
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Source: Ipsos AI in Spending & Finance Poll, fielded Feb 8, 2026. Fielded among 1,500 U.S. adults aged 18-65.
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People who are open to AI agents shopping on their behalf are enthusiastic about AI behaviors that would save them money, from switching payment methods to negotiating deals.
Consumers interested in AI shopping prefer the tech to act as an extension of their prior inputs or historical preferences, not with full autonomy.
Transparency will build trust. Even among those willing to use AI for shopping, there is a significant demand for "explainability." Consumers want to verify the reasoning behind an AI's choice rather than accepting a "black box" recommendation.
With most shoppers’ permission for AI agents being conditional on price or category, consumer product brands must prepare to understand the role agentic AI will play in individual purchase journeys.
Among those who would let AI spend on their behalf, younger Americans are more open to higher-ticket purchases, though most would draw the line for purchases around $100.
Source: Ipsos AI in Spending & Finance Poll, fielded Feb 8, 2026. Fielded among 1,500 U.S. adults aged 18-65.
Younger shoppers are open to larger AI purchases — and vice versa for older shoppers
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Most shoppers who would let AI spend on their behalf want it to draw on past behaviors when deciding what to buy, whether by limiting the agent to previously purchased brands or to products on a predetermined list.
In other words, we prefer agents that are automatic, not truly autonomous.
Source: Ipsos AI in Spending & Finance Poll, fielded Feb 8, 2026. Fielded among 1,500 U.S. adults aged 18-65.
Shoppers are most comfortable with AI leaning on prior preferences
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82% of Gen Z shoppers who would let AI make purchases for them would let the agent change payment methods to maximize rewards.
A plurality of Gen Z and Millennials (about two in five) say they would let their AI agent move funds if it led to greater savings at the point of purchase.
Source: Ipsos AI in Spending & Finance Poll, fielded Feb 8, 2026. Fielded among 1,500 U.S. adults aged 18-65.
Americans are open to giving AI control over payments if that comes with benefits
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Even Americans who would authorize AI agents maximizing their savings or rewards at the point of purchase would prefer that their AI stick to predetermined cards or payment methods.
This makes becoming the “default” payment method for agents a critical opportunity for payment providers.
Source: Ipsos AI in Spending & Finance Poll, fielded Feb 8, 2026. Fielded among 1,500 U.S. adults aged 18-65.
But shoppers ultimately want AI agents on a tight leash when making payments
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One potential use case is haggling: 90% of shoppers who would let AI spend for them would let their AI negotiate with a seller’s AI to reach an optimal outcome.
All the same, people have a sense of fairness: Half (55%) would prefer that agents find the best outcome for both buyer and seller.
Source: Ipsos AI in Spending & Finance Poll, fielded Feb 8, 2026. Fielded among 1,500 U.S. adults aged 18-65.
Most would let AI negotiate for them — but want to be fair to the seller
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Most Americans who would let AI make a purchase for them would still want a window into the agent’s reasoning.
Only about a quarter (28%) would be confident enough in the AI’s choices to not be shown the reasoning automatically, highlighting the need for transparency even among AI early adopters.
Source: Ipsos AI in Spending & Finance Poll, fielded Feb 8, 2026. Fielded among 1,500 U.S. adults aged 18-65.
Trust in AI agents comes with expectations of transparency
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Zach Sanders Sr. Vice President Market & Brand Strategy Insights zach.sanders@ipsos.com
Clémence Hudry Sr. Manager Market & Brand Strategy Insights clemence.hudry@ipsos.com
Beck Hansman Manager Market & Brand Strategy Insights beck.hansman@ipsos.com