AI Agents Could Spend US$3.6B for Singapore Shoppers by 2030
Worldpay finds 44% of Singaporeans are ready to let AI agents browse and buy for them either now or within the next year.
Singapore consumers expect AI agents to autonomously handle 10% of their online purchases by 2030, amounting to roughly US$3.6 billion in spending, according to new research from global fintech company Worldpay.
Consumer Readiness Varies Sharply by Category
The projections are based on a forecast of US$36 billion e-commerce market in Singapore by 2030. Worldpay's research found that 44% of Singaporeans would allow an AI agent to browse and buy on their behalf either now or within the next year.
It is worth noting that Worldpay's position as a payments tech company could make this market projection skewed toward the higher end of the spectrum, with various other sources giving more conservative projections.
Regardless, cost savings drive adoption, and three-quarters of respondents cited the ability to find the best deal as their top motivation for using AI shopping agents.
Category readiness differs significantly. For groceries and daily essentials, 78% of consumers are open to using AI agents, typically with spending capped at US$170. For tickets to concerts, sports events, and limited-edition drops, just 21% would permit agent-initiated purchases of up to US$850.
Air travel shows more varied acceptance. 31% would permit AI agents spending between US$170 and US$850, while 28% would allow up to US$1,700, and 10% would be okay with up to US$8,500. For hotels, 30% are comfortable with AI agents spending between US$170 and US$850, and 19% are comfortable up to US$1,700.
Leighton Cosseboom
Security Concerns Shape Infrastructure Development
Trust remains a significant barrier. 63% of respondents worry about unauthorized purchases, while 61% are concerned about fraud. 39% say they are comfortable giving agents pre-set rules and limited control, while just 12% would accept minimal control.
To address these concerns, Worldpay has launched its Model Context Protocol, an open-source standard enabling AI agents to integrate with payment systems. The protocol allows agents to connect securely to checkout infrastructure while maintaining fraud controls.
The company is collaborating with OpenAI, Google, Visa, and Mastercard to build an agentic commerce infrastructure. Worldpay also partners with identity verification provider Trulioo to strengthen fraud-resistant systems.
Globally, Worldpay (again boldly) projects AI agent transaction volume will reach US$1.7 trillion by 2030, up from US$136 billion in 2025. 60% of consumers worldwide demand transaction reviews before AI agents complete purchases.
Leighton Cosseboom
Regional Market Grows at 49.5% Annually
Singapore's agentic commerce development aligns with broader Asia-Pacific trends. The region's AI agents market is projected to grow at 49.5% annually from 2025 to 2030, reaching US$14.15 billion by 2030. China, India, and South Korea lead regional adoption.
In China, AI avatars generated US$7 million in sales during a seven-hour livestream, outperforming human influencers. India shows strong retailer adoption, with 48% of retailers piloting generative AI tools, supported by government skilling funds.
SoftBank plans to deploy 1 billion AI agents by the end of 2025, targeting autonomous negotiation capabilities across Asia-Pacific markets.
The infrastructure development around autonomous purchasing reflects a shift in how payment systems must accommodate machine-initiated transactions while maintaining consumer protections and regulatory compliance.
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