Jakarta, INTI - The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Indonesian consumers’ shopping activities is growing, with the technology increasingly influencing how people discover products, compare prices, evaluate brands, and complete digital transactions.
According to the Daily Economic and Market Review published by PT Bank Mandiri’s Office of Chief Economist on October 26, 2026, AI is no longer limited to product searches. It is also helping consumers assess brand credibility and supporting ordering and digital payment processes.
A May 2026 survey by Macromill involving more than 4,000 respondents in Indonesia found that approximately 21% of consumers had used AI to search for product information.
Among these users, 73% relied on AI to compare products, while 65% used it to compare prices and assess brand credibility.
AI Adoption Varies Across Income Groups
The survey also highlighted differences in how consumers use AI based on their income levels.
Among consumers earning less than IDR 3.5 million, 70% used AI to find more affordable shopping alternatives.
For those earning between IDR 3.5 million and IDR 8.5 million, 82% used AI to compare products, while 39% considered the technology very helpful.
Meanwhile, 28% of consumers earning more than IDR 8.5 million said AI had a significant influence on their purchasing decisions.
These findings indicate that AI is becoming a useful tool for consumers across different income groups, although its role varies according to their shopping priorities and needs.
AI Expands Its Role in Digital Transactions
According to the Bank Mandiri report, AI is increasingly moving beyond product discovery to support the transaction process itself.
The Economist has highlighted AI assistants, including Meta’s Instinct and Muse through WhatsApp, which can help users with activities such as restaurant reservations and ticket searches.
Shopify and Stripe are also preparing integrations that enable AI to support shopping journeys, from product selection to payment completion.
These developments point toward a future in which consumers can manage more of their shopping activities through AI-powered interfaces, potentially making transactions more convenient and efficient.
Digital Payment Growth Creates New Opportunities
The integration of AI with payment services is gaining momentum alongside the expansion of digital transactions in Indonesia.
The Daily Economic and Market Review reported that digital payment transactions reached 18.1 billion in the third quarter of 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 39.2%.
This rapid growth creates opportunities for businesses to develop more seamless shopping experiences by combining AI-powered recommendations, product comparisons, and digital payment services.
As these technologies become increasingly interconnected, consumers may be able to move from product discovery to purchase completion with fewer steps.
Personal Data Protection Remains a Key Priority
Despite its potential benefits, the growing use of AI in digital transactions must be accompanied by stronger personal data protection, payment security, and mechanisms for resolving problematic transactions.
AI-powered shopping systems may process sensitive information related to consumer preferences, purchasing behavior, and payment activities. Without appropriate safeguards, these developments could create additional risks involving data privacy, unauthorized transactions, and consumer protection.
Businesses and payment providers therefore need to ensure that their AI integrations are supported by reliable security measures, transparent data practices, and clear procedures for handling transaction disputes.
Maintaining consumer trust will be essential as AI becomes more deeply embedded in everyday shopping activities.
AI and Digital Payments Could Reshape Indonesia’s Digital Economy
The integration of AI and digital payments has the potential to transform how Indonesian consumers discover products, make purchasing decisions, and complete transactions.
With reliable digital infrastructure, secure payment systems, and adequate consumer protection, this development could create new opportunities for businesses while supporting the continued growth of Indonesia’s digital economy.
However, the long-term success of AI-powered commerce will depend not only on convenience and efficiency, but also on the ability of businesses to protect consumer data and maintain trust throughout the digital shopping journey.
Conclusion
AI is transforming Indonesia’s shopping experience by helping consumers discover products, compare prices, and complete digital payments more efficiently. As AI adoption and digital transactions continue to grow, stronger data protection, payment security, and consumer safeguards will be essential to maintaining trust and supporting the sustainable growth of Indonesia’s digital economy.
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