Dubai has once again positioned itself at the forefront of global innovation. Hence, it has become the first place in the world to successfully execute the AI-powered payment using only a voice-activated chatbot. Moreover, the groundbreaking demonstration took place in the Dubai Future Forum, where Mastercard and Majid Al Futtaim unveiled Agent Pay. However, it is a transformative system redefining how customers shop.
A Seamless Voice-Only Payment: The First of Its Kind
2 cinema tickets for a horror movie were purchased in a world-first moment through the Majid Al Futtaim voice assistant without opening a website, entering card details, or navigating any menus.
The conversational AI handled the complete process from choosing the movie to selecting the best seats and completing the secure payment within seconds. Hence, this marks a monumental leap from agentic commerce to a rising technological trend where AI agents manage complex tasks and transactions autonomously.
Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach and UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Al Olama personally witnessed the transaction. Moreover, he highlighted the unique role of the UAE in fast-tracking real-world tech innovations.
Dubai Leads the World in AI Innovations
Miebach highlighted Dubai’s special ability to turn futuristic concepts into reality while speaking at the forum by saying, “Because it is in Dubai, of course it did work—and it worked perfectly.”
This successful test strengthens the global reputation of Dubai as a city that does not just talk about future technologies. Instead, it builds them, tests them, and launches them before the rest of the world.
UAE AI Minister Omar Al Olama applauded the nation’s “why not” mentality, which motivates experimentation and rapid deployment of emerging technologies. Moreover, he explained, “In most countries, when you want to launch something new, the response is Why? Why not? Let us pilot it. Let us see how it works, and then let us go beyond that.”
This mindset has helped position the UAE as an unmatched hub for AI innovation, digital transformation, and future-oriented government policy.
Security & Trust at the Core of AI-Powered Payment
The idea of AI executing payment autonomously might raise concerns about the misuse of transactions. However, MasterCard also assured users that strong security protections and an advanced fraud prevention system are built into Agent Pay.
Miebach stressed that security, trust, and user protection are foundational, not optional. He said, “We have to create the safeguards. We have to build in the controls. That is what our business does for a living.”
The system is created to secure customers and delivers unprecedented convenience. Hence, it blends innovation with responsibility, which is a balance the country continues to champion.
A Message to the Next Generation: Focus on Human Skills
Miebach had a strong message for young people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and beyond: create uniquely human skills as AI becomes more deeply integrated into daily life. Moreover, he advised youth to focus on areas involving critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving, and nuanced human interaction. However, these are the skills that cannot be easily automated.
A Future Built in Dubai
The successful debut of Agent Pay signals a new era of AI-driven commerce, where shopping becomes conversational, effortless, and ultra-personalized. Moreover, the first AI-powered payment is only the beginning of the future, as the emirate moves toward innovation. However, the future is going to be where personal AI agents will handle daily tasks, bookings, purchases, and more.
In short, the future has arrived. Moreover, it has arrived in Dubai, as it is introducing new technologies.
Read more:
UAE Central Bank Removes Minimum Salary Requirement for Personal Loans
Emirates Named ‘Best Airline in the World’ for 8th Year at ULTRAs Awards
Cloudflare Down: Major Internet Outage Hits X, Canva, Gaming Platforms
[…] Dubai Unveils World’s First AI-Powered Payment: A Voice-Activated Purchase That Marks Future of Sh… […]
[…] Dubai Unveils World’s First AI-Powered Payment: A Voice-Activated Purchase That Marks Future of Sh… […]