The UAE has become the first market outside the United States to launch Mastercard’s Agent Pay, underscoring the country’s position as a global leader in next-generation digital payments and artificial intelligence adoption.
The pilot phase, delivered in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim and fintech Dataiera, marks a major step in bringing AI-enabled “agentic commerce” directly to consumers in the UAE.
The launch event was attended by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach; and Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding.
Mastercard introduces Agent Pay in UAE
Once fully deployed, cardholders in the UAE will be able to use their AI agent to search, discover and transact through Mastercard Agent Pay — including booking theatre tickets at VOX Cinemas — signalling the beginning of a new era in personalised, AI-powered payments.
Omar Sultan Al Olama said the UAE, guided by its leadership, has become a global hub for advanced technologies and initiatives that enhance well-being, competitiveness and international standing.
He added that the nation has set a new global benchmark in deploying artificial intelligence to simplify daily life and improve the efficiency and reliability of digital interactions.
He noted that the introduction of the AI agent in payment solutions represents a major milestone, opening new horizons for the growth and development of the UAE’s digital economy.
AI in the UAE
Dimitrios Dosis, President, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard, said: “As AI becomes a trusted companion in people’s digital lives, payments must evolve to match its intelligence with integrity.
“Mastercard Agent Pay ensures that agentic commerce is built on transparency, consent and security, empowering consumers and businesses to engage confidently in this new era of commerce.”
Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, said: “As a pioneer in retail and lifestyle innovation, Majid Al Futtaim sees AI as a transformative force shaping the future of commerce and human interaction.
“Collaborating with Mastercard on Agent Pay allows us to explore how intelligence and integrity can coexist in digital transactions – creating systems that prioritise trust, transparency, and consumer confidence.
“This collaboration is not just about convenience; it’s about setting a framework for responsible innovation that redefines how people shop, pay, and engage in a connected world.”
