Abstract:
OpenAI announced the launch of a new payment function, ChatGPT Wallet, which allows AI agents to complete online shopping and payment processes on behalf of users after being authorized. To achieve this function, OpenAI cooperates with mainstream payment networks such as American Express, Mastercard and Visa, hoping to further promote the transformation of AI agents from information assistants to actual task execution tools.
According to the introduction, ChatGPT Wallet allows users to safely save their credit card information and authorize AI agents to perform payment operations on the network without exposing sensitive data such as real card numbers to merchants or AI systems. For example, after users determine a hotel when planning a trip, they can directly ask the AI agent to complete the booking and payment through ChatGPT Wallet.
During the payment process, users can either add a credit card through the ChatGPT Wallet settings interface, or enter payment information as prompted when the AI agent checks out. After completing the binding, users do not need to re-enter card information every time they shop. The AI agent will first search and organize product or service information, and then prepare for checkout.
When a transaction is about to be completed, ChatGPT Wallet will display the merchant name, purchase item, total amount due, and selected payment card to the user. After verification, the user needs to confirm authorization through biometric methods such as Face ID, facial recognition, and fingerprint.
After the authorization is completed, the payment network will automatically generate a one-time payment token, which contains information such as the virtual card number, security verification code, and validity period. The AI agent then uses the payment token to complete the transaction without touching or sharing the user's real credit card information, thereby improving payment security.
OpenAI emphasizes that ChatGPT Wallet is essentially just the front-end entry in the payment process. The actual deduction will still come directly from the user's existing credit card account, so the user can continue to enjoy the points rewards, consumption rights and eligible disputed transaction protection measures provided by the original credit card. Although the AI agent performs payment actions on behalf of the user, the user is still the party directly transacting with the merchant, and responsibilities such as product pricing, order fulfillment, returns and refunds, and after-sales support are still borne by the merchant.
Currently, users still need to confirm each transaction. However, OpenAI stated that in the future, it hopes to allow AI agents to complete some purchase tasks autonomously under the premise of pre-set consumption limits and rules, further reducing manual intervention.
At the same time, OpenAI is also aware that AI agents may encounter obstacles in actual business environments. Because many websites' anti-fraud systems are alert to automated behavior, some legitimate transactions may be misidentified and declined. Amazon has previously blocked Meta’s Muse agent from performing shopping operations on behalf of users.
To solve this problem, OpenAI recommends that enterprises adjust website configurations so that they can identify authorized AI agents and work with payment service providers to reduce misjudgments and unnecessary transaction rejections. OpenAI is also working with anti-fraud companies such as Forter, Riskified, Sardine, and Signifyd, as well as payment service providers such as Adyen, Checkout.com, and Stripe to establish a new ecosystem suitable for AI agent payments.
ChatGPT Wallet has been gradually opened to ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the United States who are over 18 years old on the same day. Eligible users need to hold a US-issued credit card and have a US billing address. Currently, relevant cards including American Express, Chase, Mastercard and Visa are supported.
However, this feature is currently only applicable to OpenAI's "dot" proxy environment and is not yet supported in ordinary ChatGPT conversations, ChatGPT Work, and independent Codex sessions. In addition, virtual credit cards cannot be added to Wallet at the moment.
With the official launch of ChatGPT Wallet, OpenAI is trying to further develop AI from an assistant that provides suggestions and information to a digital agent that can directly perform real-life tasks such as purchasing, booking, and payment, laying the foundation for more autonomous AI services in the future.
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