A growing number of shoppers in the UAE are ready to let AI assistants help with their purchases, as artificial intelligence becomes more common in everyday digital experiences.
According to a new report by Checkout.com , 54 per cent of UAE consumers said they are comfortable with AI assistants shopping on their behalf. The findings were published in the company’s Mena Digital Commerce 2026: The New Era of AI in Payments report.
The study suggests that shoppers in the UAE are especially open to using AI for practical tasks such as finding the best price, comparing products and reviews, and preparing shopping lists based on previous habits. There is also rising interest in using AI assistants for everyday needs such as grocery shopping, travel bookings and transportation arrangements.
AI Agents Could Become “Super Shoppers”
The report found that UAE shoppers are already using digital tools to make smarter purchase decisions. Around 56 per cent of consumers compare prices on their mobile phones while shopping inside physical stores. This behaviour creates a strong opportunity for AI shopping agents, which can scan options, compare deals and recommend better choices in real time.
However, adoption is not equal across all consumer groups. Men appear more comfortable with AI shopping assistants than women, with 57 per cent of men expressing comfort compared with 48 per cent of women.
Income also plays a major role. Among high-income consumers, 79 per cent said they are comfortable allowing AI to shop for them, compared with 50 per cent among lower-income groups. This suggests that AI-driven shopping may first grow among wealthier and more digitally confident consumers before becoming more widely used across the UAE.
Online Shopping Continues to Grow in the UAE
The report also shows that online shopping is already deeply embedded in UAE consumer behaviour. More than half of UAE shoppers, or 52 per cent, buy online at least once a week. Meanwhile, 67 per cent expect to increase their online shopping over the next 12 months.
Digital spending is also becoming more diverse. Food delivery is the most common online purchase category, with 64 per cent of respondents using digital channels for it.
This is followed by clothing and fashion at 54 per cent, travel at 51 per cent, and both beauty and electronics at 37 per cent. Social commerce is also gaining momentum, with 27 per cent of UAE consumers now shopping through social media platforms.
According to Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, general manager for Mena at Checkout.com, the UAE is moving toward more intelligent and digital-first commerce experiences, in line with the country’s innovation goals and cashless economy ambitions.
Privacy Remains a Major Barrier to AI Shopping
Despite growing interest in AI shopping tools, privacy is still a major concern. The report found that 54 per cent of UAE consumers see privacy as the main barrier to using AI for shopping. This shows that while people may be open to convenience, they still want control over how their data is used.
For AI shopping assistants to gain wider trust, businesses will need to show that user information is protected and that automated decisions are transparent and secure.
UAE Shoppers Want Faster and Invisible Payments
Payment experience is another major theme in the report. Nearly 96 per cent of UAE consumers said they want invisible payments, meaning payment processes that happen smoothly in the background without unnecessary steps or friction.
At the same time, shoppers are not willing to sacrifice security for speed. The report found that 63 per cent of consumers consider a safe and secure payment experience the most important factor when shopping online.
Abbondandolo said today’s consumers expect payments to be fast, simple and almost invisible, but they also want strong trust and security. For businesses in the UAE, the challenge is to deliver convenience while protecting customers and building long-term loyalty.
Cart Abandonment Still Linked to Payment Security
Security concerns continue to affect online checkout behaviour in the UAE. According to the report, 32 per cent of UAE consumers have abandoned shopping carts because they were worried about payment security. Another 38 per cent said they would avoid buying from a website completely if they were unsure whether the payment process was safe.
Trust issues can also push customers directly to competitors. The study found that 39 per cent of UAE consumers would switch to another business if their payment was wrongly declined. This highlights how important payment reliability has become for online retailers and digital platforms.
Digital Wallets Are Now Part of Daily Life
The report also shows the growing role of digital wallets in the UAE. Around 67 per cent of consumers use digital wallets at least once a month for shopping, budgeting and managing finances. For money transfers, the figure rises to 71 per cent.
Consumers are also becoming more willing to save payment details for convenience. Around 57 per cent said they would save their card information to make future payments easier. However, this willingness depends heavily on trust. Shoppers expect businesses to provide strong fraud protection, secure checkout systems and reliable payment experiences.
What This Means for UAE Businesses
The findings show that UAE consumers are ready for more advanced digital commerce, including AI-powered shopping and seamless payments. However, convenience alone will not be enough. Businesses that want to benefit from this shift must also invest in privacy, payment security and fraud prevention.
AI assistants may soon play a bigger role in how people compare products, find deals and complete purchases. But for adoption to grow, shoppers need to feel confident that their data, money and personal preferences are being handled safely. For retailers and digital platforms in the UAE, the message is clear: the future of shopping is becoming smarter, faster and more automated, but trust will remain the foundation of every successful transaction.