Banks warn that AI shopping agents could widen fraud and privacy risks.

The banks highlighted the risk of agents handling card details directly, steering customers toward weaker payment protections or making purchases that do not reflect a user's interests. They also noted uncertainty over responsibility when automated transactions go wrong.

Their proposals include disclosure when an AI agent participates in a transaction, clearer decision-making, stronger data safeguards, interoperability and consumer choice. John Lewis said AI-originated searches had risen to 2.5% from 0.3% a year earlier.