Mastercard has announced the rollout of Agent Pay in the UAE, marking the first time the service has been used outside the United States.
During this pilot phase, Mastercard is partnering with Majid Al Futtaim and fintech company Dataiera.
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, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Holding.
Once fully deployed, cardholders will be able to rely on their AI agent to search, explore, and complete transactions using Mastercard Agent Pay — including effortless booking of theatre tickets at VOX Cinemas.
Omar Al Olama highlighted that, under the guidance of the UAE’s leadership, the country has emerged as a global centre for embracing and fostering advanced technologies and initiatives that enhance quality of life, strengthen international competitiveness, and reinforce its status as a leading hub for cutting-edge AI applications.
He further noted that the UAE has set a new worldwide standard in adopting and implementing artificial intelligence to streamline daily life, driving innovations that improve the efficiency, reliability and quality of digital interactions. The introduction of AI agents in payment solutions, he said, marks a major milestone that paves the way for new opportunities in the growth and evolution of the UAE’s digital economy.
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, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, commented, “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.”
(Inputs from WAM)
