What's happening
Goldman Sachs research suggests autonomous artificial intelligence agents will fundamentally change how major technology companies operate and generate revenue. The bank predicts that global AI token consumption—a measure of computational demand—could increase dramatically over the next six years, reflecting widespread adoption of AI across business operations.
Why it matters for fintech and payments
While this trend is primarily focused on large tech firms, the efficiency gains from AI adoption could have knock-on effects for payment processing and merchant services providers. As tech companies streamline operations through AI, infrastructure costs may shift, potentially affecting how they price services for smaller businesses.
What this means for your business
If you use cloud-based payment solutions or merchant services, watch for changes in pricing models. Tech-driven efficiency often filters down to SME pricing over time. More immediately, consider whether AI tools—such as AI-powered accounting software or chatbots for customer transactions—could improve your own cash flow or reduce operational costs. Now is a good time to review your current payment processing contracts to ensure you're getting competitive rates as market conditions evolve.