UAE Shoppers Using AI: 72% Used It for Their Latest Purchase
UAE shoppers using AI is becoming a major part of the country’s changing shopping habits. New research released on September 3, 2026, found that 72% of UAE shoppers used AI during their most recent purchase.
The study was conducted by PYMNTS Intelligence and Visa Acceptance Solutions as part of the 2026 Global Digital Shopping Index: UAE Playbook.
The research surveyed 1,270 consumers in the UAE. It looked at how people are using mobile technology, AI and different payment options while shopping.
AI is no longer being used only for general questions. Shoppers are turning to it to find products, compare options and help decide what to buy.
The report also found that 71% of UAE shoppers expect to use an AI shopping agent within the next two years. These tools could eventually do more than suggest products. They could help shoppers complete parts of the buying process.
Consumers are also looking for control. According to the study, 82% would allow an AI agent to make a purchase without direct supervision if they could set a spending limit. More than half said they would limit such purchases to $100.
For UAE retailers, this could mean a change in how products are presented online. The report found that only 19% of merchants have made their product information readable by AI agents.
The findings suggest that shoppers are moving quickly toward AI-assisted shopping, while many businesses are still catching up.
For consumers, the change could make online shopping faster and easier. For retailers, it also creates a new challenge: making sure their products can be found, understood and trusted when AI becomes part of the shopping journey.
