Tencent is reportedly preparing to launch an AI agent for WeChat that can shop and make payments on users' behalf.

Tencent could launch the AI agent for WeChat as soon as this month, according to the Financial Times, as Chinese tech companies compete to roll out AI features.

The AI agent would handle commerce tasks—shopping and making payments on a user's behalf—representing a potential next major use case for online platforms.

A recent survey of large companies across 10 countries found three-quarters have already rolled back or shut down a customer-facing AI agent, reflecting ongoing challenges with governance and hallucinations (instances where AI generates false information).