AI Agents Face Making Money Challenge as Mass Market Adoption Looms

AI agents are evolving from conversational assistants into software that can complete tasks such as shopping and travel bookings, according to Goldman Sachs. The bank's technology expert, Eric Sheridan, says we're at the beginning of a paradigm shift in AI.

The next step for companies building these AI agents is figuring out how to turn their capabilities into a sustainable business, according to Sheridan. He believes that mass market adoption will be monetized through advertising and subscriptions, similar to the way the web operates today.

Sheridan suggests that AI agents would likely offer premium, ad-free subscriptions alongside free, ad-supported versions. This model will depend on consumers trusting AI agents with sensitive information such as calendars, passwords, and payment credentials.