Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the anticipated mainstream adoption of AI-assisted shopping by 2026, with a significant shift expected in consumer behavior towards interactive shopping experiences facilitated by AI platforms like ChatGPT [3][5]. Group 1: AI-Assisted Shopping - AI-assisted shopping is expected to transition from a niche experience to a common practice among consumers by 2026, with AI assistants playing a crucial role in shopping decisions [5][6]. - The evolution from "AI-assisted decision-making" to "agentic commerce," where AI robots handle payments and purchases autonomously, will take more time due to consumer reluctance to relinquish control over final transactions [6]. Group 2: Global Payment Giants - Global payment companies are rapidly positioning themselves to capitalize on the shift towards AI-assisted shopping, aiming to secure their place as consumers increasingly engage with chatbots [8]. - Visa is actively communicating with all major industry players, while Mastercard has partnered with Microsoft, and PayPal has signed an agreement with OpenAI to integrate its digital wallet into OpenAI's chatbot [8].