OpenAI Introduces an AI Wallet to ChatGPT ... AI Pays on People’s Behalf [Global AI Briefing]

[Financial News] OpenAI has introduced a digital wallet service that allows AI agents to purchase products and make payments on users’ behalf.
The strategy is to open up the market in earnest for “agentic commerce,” in which AI goes beyond recommending products or comparing prices and takes part in actual purchasing and payment.
On the 13th (local time), OpenAI unveiled “ChatGPT Wallet” through its official newsroom.
The service was developed in collaboration with global payment networks including American Express, Mastercard, and Visa. Once users register a payment card, AI agents can handle everything from searching for products to completing the purchase on their behalf.

When users ask an AI agent to find a product they want, the agent searches for products and suggests one to buy. At the payment stage, it shows users the list of products, the final amount, and the card to be used. After users review the details and approve the payment using security authentication such as Face ID or fingerprint recognition, the AI completes the payment. There is no need to enter a card number and expiration date each time.
OpenAI emphasized that it has strengthened payment security with payment token technology. Payment networks issue one-time substitute payment information instead of the actual card number. Neither the AI agent nor the merchant can see the user’s actual card information. Points and benefits on existing cards are also retained, and if a legitimate dispute arises, such as over a defective product, users can rely on their card issuer’s existing protections.
The initial service will be offered through “dots” to eligible users in the United States who are at least 18 years old, subscribe to ChatGPT Pro, and have an eligible U.S.-issued credit card. It is OpenAI’s AI agent service, which continuously performs tasks for users.
It is not yet available in the regular ChatGPT chat interface, Work, or the standalone Codex.
OpenAI’s long-term strategy is to pursue a service that fully delegates payments to AI agents.
The AI wallet service unveiled this time requires users to approve each purchase themselves. But the plan is to develop it so that AI can handle purchases autonomously when conditions are set in advance, such as a spending limit, specific product categories, or a set period. 
 
[email protected] Lee Gu-sun Reporter