Extract from Olga V. Mack’s article, “Agentic Commerce Is About To Become A Contracting Problem.”
Agents will need structured positions, contextual rules, and clear escalation paths.
Much of the conversation about agentic commerce begins with a consumer asking an AI agent to find a flight, order groceries, or buy a pair of shoes.
The technical questions are fascinating. How will the agent verify identity? How will it discover products, compare options, communicate with sellers, and complete payment? Which protocols will allow agents and commercial systems to interact?
But B2B commerce adds a more difficult question: On what terms may the agent transact?
