{
  "id": 5284750,
  "title": "72% of UAE Shoppers Used AI for Their Latest Purchase",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/72-of-uae-shoppers-used-ai-for-their-latest-purchase",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-03T08:00:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PYMNTS",
    "slug": "pymnts",
    "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/consumer-insights/2026/72-of-uae-shoppers-used-ai-for-their-latest-purchase/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the United Arab Emirates, the majority of consumers are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) to make their latest purchases, according to a recent report. The 2026 Global Digital Shopping Index: UAE Playbook, a collaboration between PYMNTS Intelligence and Visa Acceptance Solutions, reveals that 72% of UAE shoppers have utilized AI for their most recent shopping experience.\n\nThe study, which surveyed 1,270 UAE consumers as part of a broader March 2026 research project encompassing 5,241 consumers and 1,185 merchants across the UAE, Brazil, and the United States, highlights the growing influence of AI in the UAE's digital economy. UAE consumers are already leading the three countries in digital shopping activity, averaging 2.3 digital shopping activities per day, a 5% increase from 2024.\n\nWhen using AI, UAE shoppers express a strong willingness to delegate tasks throughout the purchasing process. However, they also desire clear boundaries, reliable payment options, and control over their information. Despite the growing adoption of AI, popular shopping features such as digital coupons remain in short supply, with only 60% of UAE merchants currently offering them.\n\nTo unlock the full potential of AI in shopping, merchants should consider implementing simple controls that allow consumers to set spending limits. Over 82% of UAE shoppers would be comfortable allowing an AI agent to make an unsupervised purchase if they could determine a maximum spending amount, with more than half setting this cap at $100.\n\nThe findings from this report provide valuable insights for merchants, payment providers, banks, and technology companies operating in the UAE. By addressing the identified opportunities and challenges, businesses can better prepare themselves to cater to the evolving needs of the next generation of shoppers in the region.",
  "summary": "The UAE shopper has little patience for yesterday’s checkout. A phone can serve as a storefront, research assistant and wallet before a merchant’s website has time to prompt, “add to cart.” AI is now joining that toolkit, giving consumers new ways to find products, compare offers and decide what to buy. “The 2026 Global Digital […] The post 72% of UAE Shoppers Used AI for Their Latest Purchase…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}