Mastercard predicts £370bn in AI-driven consumer spending by 2030

The findings, based on surveys of 26,000 Europeans, highlight a generational divide in technology adoption. Currently, 18% of teens report using AI assistants like ChatGPT or Gemini to compare products weekly, compared to just 9% of adults. Agnes Woolrich, SVP at Mastercard UK, noted that the industry must prepare for a future where businesses optimize digital estates to be machine-readable, as AI agents increasingly act on behalf of human consumers.

To visualize this transition, Mastercard commissioned a modern "Payeux Tapestry." Created by artist Mia Hansson, the embroidered work mirrors the historic Bayeux Tapestry but replaces medieval warfare with the evolution of commerce, concluding with panels depicting autonomous machine-to-machine payments. Futurologist Magnus Lindkvist, who contributed to the study, compared the utility of agentic AI to the washing machine—a tool designed to automate utilitarian chores and reclaim time for more creative pursuits.

While the potential for growth is significant, experts warn that the transition will be complex. The report identifies critical challenges, including the need for new identity and authorization models as "know your agent" compliance replaces traditional customer verification. Businesses will also face questions regarding accountability, particularly when AI agents—rather than humans—execute high-stakes purchases like travel bookings. Mastercard aims to position itself as an orchestration layer to ensure these automated exchanges remain secure and transparent as the technology moves from early adoption toward mainstream integration.