For a long time, we have been learning how to use ChatGPT to write emails or generate code. Now comes the phase where AI handles not just text, but also your wallet. Thanks to the integration of the Visa payment network into the OpenAI infrastructure, we are entering the era of so-called Agentic Commerce. What does that mean in practice? You tell ChatGPT: "Find me the best running shoes under 3000 CZK with good cushioning, and order them to my address." And it simply does it.

The technological pillar: How does AI shop safely?

The biggest concern when delegating purchases to artificial intelligence remains security. How can an agent access a payment without knowing your full card number or without being able to misuse the money? OpenAI and Visa are addressing this issue with two key technologies that define a new standard for digital commerce.

The first is the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP). According to information from Growth Drive Digital, it is an open standard (under the Apache 2.0 license) that works similarly to HTTP for websites. ACP allows AI agents to communicate with merchants in a unified language, regardless of whether you are shopping at a small e-shop or a global chain.

The second pillar technology is Shared Payment Tokens (SPT), developed in collaboration with Stripe. Instead of sending sensitive credit card data, the system creates one-time, limited digital tokens. These tokens are valid only for a specific transaction and a specific purpose. This means that neither OpenAI nor the merchant itself ever sees your actual card number. For users, this represents a layer of protection that is absolutely essential in the era of autonomous systems.

The battle for the shopping cart: ChatGPT vs. the competition

OpenAI has decided not to play on just one front, but is trying to dominate the market infrastructure itself. While they are building a protocol (ACP), their competitors are choosing different strategies:

• Perplexity: Chooses the path of rapid integration. Their partnership with PayPal allows them to immediately leverage a network of more than 5,000 merchants without having to build their own payment system.
• Google: Bets on its dominance in search and the "Buy for Me" feature, deeply integrated into Google Shopping and the Android ecosystem.
• Amazon (Rufus): Has the biggest advantage — its own shopping cart. Their AI Rufus is not trying to be a protocol, but a direct shopping assistant right within their massive marketplace.
• Microsoft Copilot: Leverages its partnership with Shopify, giving it access to millions of small and medium-sized merchants around the world.

In terms of technical depth and standard-building, however, OpenAI has the upper hand. If ACP becomes the global standard, every AI agent in the world will have to use the infrastructure that OpenAI helped define.

What does it mean for Czech users and businesses?

For Czech customers, the key question is availability. Currently, ChatGPT (including its advanced features) is available in Czech, which is a major advantage over many other models. However, the actual purchase function via Visa/Stripe will likely first be rolled out gradually in English-speaking markets (USA, UK). It is important, however, to monitor how this technology connects with European legislation.

In the European Union, we must take into account the strict regulations of the EU AI Act and the Payment Services Directive (PSD2/PSD3). Any AI agent performing transactions within the EU must meet extreme requirements for transparency and security. For Czech e-shops (e.g. Alza, Mall, or smaller local retailers), this presents a new challenge: either they integrate into these new protocols (such as ACP), or they risk being "skipped" by AI agents and customers will no longer search for them manually.

Price and availability

For full use of advanced agentic features, a ChatGPT Plus subscription will likely be necessary, which costs 20 USD per month (approximately 460 CZK). For businesses, the ChatGPT Team or Enterprise version is available with higher limits and more advanced data management. Under Czech conditions, it should also be noted that transaction fees may be slightly higher due to token security measures.

Conclusion: From search to action

We are witnessing a transformation from "search engines" to "executors." If OpenAI succeeds in maintaining security standards and establishing its protocol, the way marketing, advertising, and the purchasing process itself work will change. You will no longer browse through dozens of product pages; you will define your needs, and AI will take care of the rest.