ECB Tests Digital Euro with AI-Powered Payments

The European Central Bank (ECB) is taking steps to ensure its digital euro is 'fit for the future' by exploring the use of AI agents to make payments. The ECB has launched a new round of applications for its digital euro innovation platform, which will allow fintech companies and payment firms to develop prototypes of features that could be included in the digital euro.

The first part of the project, running from January to June 2027, will focus on building prototypes of features such as digital receipts, payments involving multiple people, and conditional payments. Participants will also work on designing a user-friendly interface for the digital euro.

In the second part of the project, workshops in the first half of 2027 will explore AI-driven payments, micropayments, and machine-to-machine transactions without human intervention. The ECB is also considering how the digital euro could be used for public services.