Visa tests AI agent invoice payments with Bill, Billtrust

Visa is testing a new system that allows artificial intelligence agents to handle invoice payments between business buyers and suppliers. The pilot, conducted with Bill and Billtrust, is billed as the first live effort to let trusted AI agents initiate and complete approved buyer invoice payments end to end through supplier portals. The trial is live and centers on invoices that buyers have already approved.

The setup aims to cut manual work in accounts payable. Rather than a person logging into a supplier portal, choosing an invoice and entering payment details, an AI agent could perform those steps within set limits. Visa's role is to supply the payment rails and trust layer that let the agent act on the buyer's behalf.

AI agents in commerce are still at an early stage. The pilot will test whether such agents can operate reliably in real payment flows. Buyers and suppliers will want assurance that agents act only on approved invoices and within agreed permissions. Controls around exceptions and disputes will also matter for adoption.

If the trial succeeds, it could signal a wider shift in business payments. Software agents may take on routine initiation and completion tasks while humans retain control over the rules and approvals.