Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a part of everyday online shopping in Qatar, Visa’s latest Stay Secure study shows. The report found that 90 percent of consumers in Qatar have used AI tools to help with shopping, showing how fast AI is moving from a tech trend to a consumer reality.
The report notes a significant shift in digital shopping, with consumers turning to AI to compare prices, find gift ideas, read product reviews and discover new brands. But while consumers are embracing AI for convenience, many are wary about having AI make purchases on their behalf.
AI Shopping in Qatar Goes Mainstream
According to Visa’s annual Stay Secure study by Wakefield Research, 90% of consumers in Qatar already use AI-powered tools to support their shopping journey, making AI shopping in the country mainstream.
- The most popular uses are:
- Price comparison
- Gift finding
- Review and product rating checking
- Discovering new brands and retailers
The report also found that 95% of consumers believe new technology, including AI-powered tools, is making online shopping faster and easier.
This means that AI is no longer just a behind-the-scenes help for retailers, but is now directly shaping how consumers browse, compare, decide and buy online.
AI Checkout Still Has Trust Issues
Though AI-assisted shopping is gaining ground, consumers in Qatar are still hesitant about spending money and sharing personal data.
A Visa study found only 28% of consumers trust AI agents to check out for them. “This shows shoppers are comfortable using AI for product discovery and decision-making but still want control over the final payment step.
This trust gap is significant in the retail industry as it advances towards agentic commerce where AI agents could ultimately search, compare, recommend and purchase on users’ behalf.
In order to advance AI-powered shopping, companies must focus on transparency, security and consumer control.
AI could be key to tackling online fraud
The study also shows that consumers in Qatar increasingly see AI as part of the solution to online scams and fraud.
Visa found that 57% of consumers say AI has made scams easier to recognize, and 81% believe AI will be critical in protecting consumers from fraud in the future.
This is especially important as digital commerce expands across websites, apps, marketplaces and social media platforms. And as fraud becomes more sophisticated, AI-powered security tools may prove essential to detecting suspicious activity in real time.
Social Commerce Is Growing, But Scam Risks Are Increasing
Social media has emerged as a key shopping channel in Qatar. According to a study by Visa, 75% of consumers have purchased products directly on social media platforms.
But social commerce also brings new risks. Of the consumers who were scammed, 50% said it was on social media.
“It shows that as platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and other social channels become a popular shopping destination they are also becoming a target for fraudsters who prey on consumers via fake listings, misleading ads and suspicious payment links.”
Children Are Also Targeted by Online Shopping Scams
Visa’s report also highlighted concerns about children and online scams. The report found that 84% of consumers said children in their lives have trouble recognizing scams, and 60% said they’ve seen a child fall victim to a scam while gaming or shopping online.
The finding underscores the broadening reach of digital commerce risks beyond adult shoppers. As children are introduced to games, mobile wallets, digital marketplaces and in-app purchases, the importance of online safety education increases.
Consumers Want Banks and Payment Providers to Lead the Way
The study showed that consumers in Qatar do not think it is their primary responsibility to protect themselves from online fraud. Only 14% said that consumers should be primarily responsible for protecting themselves from online fraud.
Instead, many see banks, financial institutions, regulators and payment providers as taking the initiative.
Consumers also want more proactive security features. Visa discovered 58% would feel safer if they received real-time alerts from their bank or payment app when something looks suspicious.
What This Means for the Future of AI Shopping
The findings demonstrate that AI shopping in Qatar is growing at a fast pace, but it is trust that will determine how far it can go.
AI is already making shopping easier, faster and more personalized for consumers. But they still want clear safeguards before letting AI take over payments or automatically complete transactions.
For retailers, banks and payment companies, the opportunity is obvious: AI can improve the shopping experience, but security, transparency and consumer trust are paramount.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform digital commerce, Qatar’s shoppers seem prepared to embrace the technology – as long as they are in control at checkout.
