The piece explains that as AI shopping agents become more common, they promise convenience but also introduce significant risks for e-commerce. First, opaque “black-box” decisions by autonomous AI buyers could reduce transparency into customer behavior and undermine retailers’ ability to understand what drives sales. Second, coordination among millions of bots acting simultaneously might trigger “digital stampedes” that crash servers, spike prices, or deplete inventory unexpectedly. Third, poorly coordinated AI agents could undermine customer loyalty and cross-selling opportunities, since the automation of purchases may sidestep traditional brand interactions and loyalty programs. Overall, while consumer AI procurement tools offer benefits, they also threaten stability and control in online retail ecosystems.
