Agentic AI and the Need for Trust
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved beyond theoretical models to become a transformative force in daily life. From revolutionizing healthcare diagnostics to enhancing educational outcomes and transforming shopping experiences, AI is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern commerce. However, as these technologies evolve, so does the need to foster trust among consumers and industries alike.
According to recent findings by the Institute for the Future and Visa, public trust in AI companies has declined to 53% from 61% over the past five years. This deterioration underscores the urgent need to bridge the trust gap for AI to fulfill its potential responsibly and ethically. Establishing confidence in AI is not just a technical challenge—it’s a social imperative that demands transparent and people-centric approaches.
Intelligent Commerce: The Next Frontier
Visa’s recent report, “Commerce of Tomorrow, Today,” highlights the emergence of intelligent commerce powered by agentic AI. These systems, including virtual assistants and autonomous shopping agents, will increasingly act on consumers’ behalf to research, negotiate, and complete purchases. For these technologies to be effective and accepted, they must operate with high levels of transparency, security, and ethical integrity.
From personalized recommendations to seamless payment processing, intelligent commerce presents an exciting future. However, it also imposes new demands for authentication, data verification, and consumer control mechanisms. These systems must act as ethical extensions of consumers, prioritizing user intent and privacy while delivering personalized value.
Data Responsibility and Intellectual Property
Trust in AI begins with how data is managed. As a global payments leader, Visa underscores the importance of responsible data usage to prevent fraud, enhance security, and deliver meaningful value. With one of the most secure data platforms globally, Visa emphasizes the importance of stewardship in handling sensitive consumer information.
As AI systems grow more powerful, safeguarding personal data and respecting intellectual property become paramount. Companies must obtain informed consent for data usage, implement robust privacy controls, and ensure systems are designed to minimize misuse. These measures not only protect consumers but also build a foundation of trust that supports long-term innovation.
Responsible AI Deployment
The development of agentic AI calls for a shift from the old “move fast and break things” mentality towards a more cautious, responsibility-first approach. This is especially critical in sensitive industries such as finance, healthcare, and journalism, where the implications of AI failures can be severe and far-reaching.
Visa is advocating for a model where safety, transparency, and accountability guide AI integration. This means embedding ethical considerations into system design and ensuring that AI deployments align with societal values and legal frameworks. Rather than retrofitting ethical standards, businesses must build them into the technological infrastructure from the ground up.
Empowering Consumer Control
Consumer empowerment is central to building a trustworthy AI ecosystem. Visa’s Intelligent Commerce APIs are designed to give users granular control over their data and how it is used by AI systems. Utilizing data tokens, these APIs provide a secure interface between personal information and intelligent applications. This architecture allows for personalized experiences without compromising user privacy.
Visa is also collaborating with stakeholders across the payment ecosystem—including merchants, financial institutions, tech firms, and regulators—to establish industry standards. These efforts aim to ensure that AI-driven commerce is secure, ethical, and consumer-friendly from the outset. By working together, the industry can develop frameworks that govern AI behavior, define authentication protocols, and protect consumer rights in an increasingly automated world.
Collective Responsibility for a Trusted AI Future
Building trust in AI isn’t the sole responsibility of any one organization—it’s a collective journey. As AI systems become more autonomous, society must come together to define clear expectations for their behavior. This includes establishing what AI should and should not do, ensuring accountability, and maintaining ongoing dialogue between developers, regulators, and the public.
Governance, transparency, and stakeholder engagement are vital to shaping an AI future that enhances human potential rather than undermines it. As we stand at the cusp of a new era in commerce and technology, fostering trust in agentic AI is not optional—it’s essential.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.