Major financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, BMO, CIBC, RBC, and TD Bank, are reportedly blocking personal AI agents due to security and safety concerns. Meanwhile, Meta's AI shopping agent, Muse, has seen over 10 million people activate it in the US and Canada, with more than 25 percent using it for shopping, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Some retailers, like Walmart, are opening their virtual doors to AI agents, while an audit by Billions Network found that only 11 of 51 large U.S. retailers have taken a deliberate position on AI agents.
Accenture's Michael Abbott noted that businesses blocking agents may struggle long-term, arguing that "The more important question isn't whether institutions can block agents, but whether they can create a secure and trusted way for them to engage." Abbott's research further indicated that 65% of consumers are open to using a GPT-like financial assistant through a Gen AI platform or digital wallet, and 71% would welcome an AI assistant embedded within their primary bank's mobile app. Chipotle's chief digital officer, Arlie Sisson, reported that agents struggled with purchases due to issues like applying loyalty discounts, prompting the chain to optimize its website code for agents.
Conversely, some companies reported minimal activity, with DoorDash describing orders from agents as being in the "hundreds," and Hilton calling bookings from them "insignificant." Bank of America warned customers that if they share login credentials with AI assistants, they remain responsible for resulting activity. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon stated that the bank currently blocks external AI agents from operating on behalf of retail customers, citing security risks.
