ISTANBUL (AA) – Mastercard has released its “2026 Economic Outlook” report, prepared by the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI).
According to the company statement, the report examines the decline in artificial intelligence (AI) costs, corporate integration processes, and the rise of autonomous transaction-capable assistant systems. It reveals that AI has moved beyond the experimentation phase and is now at the center of global economic growth.
MEI data shows that the cost of AI systems has decreased by 30% over the past three years, while corporate integration rates have reached 88%. In the United States, investments in computing equipment increased by more than 20% year-on-year in the first half of last year. MEI forecasts that deeper AI integration will be a key driver of global economic growth in 2026.
The “AI Enthusiasm Index,” developed by MEI, indicates a positive correlation between countries’ levels of economic development and AI adoption. While advanced economies such as the United States and Denmark rank at the top of the index, markets including Türkiye, South Korea, Italy, and Spain are highlighted as rapidly rising countries that have recently gained strong momentum in AI adoption.
A New Era of Secure Autonomous Commerce with “Agent Pay”
According to the report, the main driver of global growth in 2026 will be “Agentic AI” systems—AI assistants capable of performing autonomous transactions on behalf of consumers. Traditional AI systems that merely scanned and presented data are being replaced by next-generation assistants that can reason, make decisions, and take action.
For example, while earlier AI systems would simply display a list of flights for a travel plan, new-generation AI assistants can evaluate factors such as time, cost, seat preference, and airline loyalty points to select the most suitable flight and complete the reservation on behalf of the user—while remembering these preferences for future trips.
To build trust in this area, Mastercard launched its global “Agent Pay” program last year. The program provides an acceptance framework that enables commerce conducted via AI assistants—referred to as agentic commerce—to take place securely and without bot interference.
The report also anticipates the growing adoption of multi-agent systems this year, where multiple AI assistants collaborate to complete a single task.
Equal Opportunity for SMEs and Financial Inclusion
AI is improving efficiency not only for large corporations but also for small businesses. Data shared at the Microsoft Digital Doors event shows that small businesses using AI tools to analyze sales models can generate 50% more qualified leads and increase conversion rates by 20–30%. Additionally, 78% of business owners report that AI saves them time.
In the field of financial inclusion, Quipu—a Colombia-based initiative supported by Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth—provides AI-powered microloans to entrepreneurs without traditional bank accounts. In Latin America, approximately one-third of business owners operate in the informal economy and lack the banking history required to access credit.
Quipu uses AI to assess creditworthiness through alternative data sources such as social media activity, inventory records, and real-time transactions. Since 2021, the initiative has provided $5 million in loans to 26,000 entrepreneurs.
Human–AI Collaboration Against Cyber Threats
The widespread use of AI tools also brings cybersecurity risks. According to a Mastercard survey of 13,000 consumers worldwide, the top concern is AI-generated fake content, or deepfakes. Only 13% of respondents believe they can distinguish such fake content.
Experts note that cybercriminals have become more convincing through AI-powered phishing emails and deepfake videos, while AI also plays a critical role in defensive strategies. Mastercard specialists emphasize that as fraudsters continuously evolve their methods, security solutions must also be continuously enhanced to counter emerging fraud trends.
Experts add that a reassuring aspect is that attackers primarily use AI to modernize traditional fraud methods rather than create entirely new ones. Mastercard, leveraging its cybersecurity expertise and investments, integrates AI into its defense products to stay ahead of threats. By placing trust at the core of its digital ecosystem strategy, the company aims to broaden its protective capabilities and make these technologies more accessible.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök