Consumers Use AI to Make Financing Decisions

The consumers most likely to use AI for payments are also those using BNPL most often: Gen Z and millennials, according to a new survey.

U.S. consumers are increasingly willing to incorporate artificial intelligence into their financing choices, according to a report from PYMNTS Intelligence. Thirty-nine percent of consumers say they have used AI for at least one payment-related activity in the last three months, such as budgeting, payment due date reminders and comparing payment methods.

“Take, for instance, an AI assistant that surfaces three financing options, ranks them by total cost and flags which one won’t open a new account or affect the person’s credit score,” the report notes. “The shopper can review the recommendation, tap to approve and move on. They don’t have to do the comparison themselves, combing through the fine print. That’s what most U.S. consumers now say they want from AI-assisted payments: a little insight and a lot of oversight.”

The report, “The Pay Later Ecosystem Report: Consumers Will Let AI Recommend Pay Later, But They Want Control,” published in June 2026, reveals that 61% of U.S. consumers would consider letting an AI shopping assistant recommend a short-term financing option at checkout. The findings, based on a survey of 2,034 U.S. adults conducted between late March and mid-April 2026, signal a shift in how households approach point-of-sale credit decision-making.

Younger demographics drive the open stance toward automated financing tools. The data shows that 80% of Gen Z consumers and 78% of millennials are willing to accept AI-driven recommendations. This interest is not limited to large, occasional purchases like furniture or electronics; consumers also express openness to using AI-assisted payment tools for everyday essentials, automotive repairs and medical expenses.

Despite this willingness to adopt automated recommendations, consumers remain cautious about losing oversight.

“Consumers want AI in Pay Later, which includes traditional credit cards, card installment plans and buy now, pay later, to function as a savings and protection tool, but only if it operates within boundaries they can set,” according to the report.

The study emphasizes that shoppers want final approval before any transaction is executed. The features consumers prioritize most when evaluating an AI recommendation include avoiding a negative impact on credit scores, finding the lowest total cost over time and securing the most affordable monthly payments.

The BNPL Landscape

Traditional buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers face intensified competition from mainstream financial institutions. Separate data within the PYMNTS research series highlights that credit card installment plans are outpacing standalone BNPL services.

Across eight monthly surveys tracked between April 2025 and March 2026, consumer use of credit card-linked installment plans rose from 23% to 36%. Meanwhile, standalone BNPL adoption remained flat at approximately 15% during the same period.

The data suggests that consumers increasingly favor installment options embedded within their existing banking and credit relationships rather than establishing new lines of credit with third-party providers.