AI Shopping Revolution: Affirm CEO Says Automated Agents Will Reshape Retail and Payments
AI-driven shopping tools are expected to make financial products clearer, reduce hidden fees, and push retailers toward more transparent, consumer-friendly business models.
Artificial intelligence is moving rapidly into the core of retail, and Affirm CEO Max Levchin believes the shift will completely redefine how people shop and pay.
Speaking at a major AI finance event in New York, Levchin said AI systems will soon perform many tasks that humans currently struggle with, especially those involving financial fine print.
He predicted that intelligent shopping agents will scan products instantly, flag costly interest rates or hidden fees, and alert buyers before they make a purchase.
According to him, this will pressure companies to abandon unclear pricing models, because AI will expose “gotcha” charges that consumers often overlook.
The CEO described a future where automated AI tools work quietly in the background, analyzing terms and recommending the safest, clearest, and most affordable options.
Levchin highlighted that agentic AI—systems capable of making decisions with minimal human input— will soon handle payments and product selection entirely on behalf of shoppers.
He said these tools will reduce the mistakes people make when choosing financial products, something he experienced first-hand with complicated credit cards during his college years.
AI can process large volumes of complex information instantly, allowing it to identify small clauses, interest traps, and confusing fee structures.
This capability could bring a new level of fairness to digital finance, especially as more consumers rely on online payment systems.
Buy now, pay later services like Affirm and Klarna have become popular in recent years, offering installments that spread purchases across multiple months.
The sector grew strongly as online shopping surged, with BNPL purchases contributing more than $80 billion in U.S. online spending last year.
Levchin said his own company is well positioned for the AI era, noting that its products can integrate seamlessly with chatbots, browsers, and digital wallets.
He argued that the shift toward intelligent shopping agents will reshape the retail landscape, creating opportunities for companies that adopt flexible, modular technologies.
Retailers that fail to adapt, he warned, may find themselves competing against AI-enhanced platforms that offer faster and more transparent services.
Several major companies are already preparing for this change, investing in tools that combine customer behavior data with automated decision-making.
Walmart recently announced plans to deploy powerful AI “super agents,” designed to guide shoppers, assist employees, and streamline online operations.
The retailer aims to significantly boost its e-commerce growth, with a target of online sales reaching half of total company revenue within five years.
Industry analysts say such moves show how quickly AI is moving from experimentation to everyday use, especially in areas like payments, lending, digital carts, and personalized recommendations.
As AI continues to blend with consumer finance, the line between shopping tools and financial advisors is becoming increasingly blurred.
The next phase of retail, experts suggest, will be defined by automation that protects consumers while driving new forms of digital convenience.
Levchin believes this transition will benefit both shoppers and responsible companies, setting a higher standard for clarity, fairness, and innovation in online commerce.
