AI-Driven Commerce Is Replacing Old Habits

AI-Driven Commerce Is Replacing Old Habits

https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/ai-driven-commerce-is-replacing-old-habits-not-building-new-ones/

Publish Date: 2026-01-15 04:00:00

Source Domain: www.pymnts.com

• The starting point for online experiences is shifting from search engines and individual apps to artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, according to the December edition of the Agentic AI Report by PYMNTS Intelligence.
• Over 60% of adults in the United States used dedicated AI platforms last year, particularly among Generation Z and heavy users who initiate personal tasks with AI.
• AI platforms are evolving the way consumers think about commerce by shifting from a keyword-based search to a dialogue-based interaction where consumers articulate a goal.
• Commerce is transitioning from destination-focused to dialogue-centric, with AI platforms facilitating discovery, comparison, and synthesis within a single interaction.
• The distinction is emerging between AI that enhances existing habits and standalone AI platforms that lead to habit displacement, reducing the use of traditional search and intermediary sites.