When AI Stands on the Consumer's Side, What Can Enterprises Still Win With?

Recently, an American media outlet reported a real case: an engineer asked ChatGPT to negotiate prices with their telecom operator, and the monthly fee dropped from $94.99 to $69.99, plus a $47.5 credit. Over a year, that is a saving of $347.5.
Someone else used AI to track flight prices, and when the fare dropped, had AI help apply for a travel credit, recovering $73.

You see, it was not that this money did not exist before, but that many people felt it was not worth spending an hour calling, finding customer service, and going back and forth for a few dozen dollars.

But for AI, these troublesome tasks are exactly the kind of thing it can execute repeatedly.

Here comes the question:

When AI starts being frugal on behalf of consumers, who will feel the pressure first?

01Look at the Food Delivery Industry

An American startup called Bites is trying to let users place orders directly through ChatGPT, connecting consumers and restaurants and reducing the intermediary links of traditional food delivery platforms.
The Verge actually tested a pizza order: for the same order, the total price through Bites was $56.73, while ordering through DoorDash was $70.29.

Note, this is just one specific test and does not mean all orders can be that much cheaper. But it reveals a change worth paying attention to:

When AI can help you find products, compare prices, and even complete the order directly, the value of traditional platforms needs to be re-examined.

In the past, platforms controlled the traffic entry point. Merchants who wanted customers had to join the platform, pay commissions, and sometimes spend money to buy exposure.

Now, if users no longer open app after app, but instead directly tell AI "help me find a restaurant with reasonable prices and good reviews," then the question arises:

Do users still need to go through so many platforms?

Behind this, what truly deserves vigilance is not just commissions, but the redistribution of traffic, advertising, and user relationships.

02This Does Not Mean All Intermediary Platforms Will Be Replaced by AI

Of course, this does not mean all intermediary platforms will be replaced by AI.
If you have unique products, scarce supply, reliable fulfilment capability, or services that users truly trust, AI may instead become your new entry point.

So what enterprises will face in the future is not simply adding AI to their products, but a more realistic question:

When AI stands on the consumer's side, comparing, filtering, and negotiating on their behalf, what reason can you still give consumers to choose you?

This may be the true business impact brought by AI agents.

03It Changes More Than Just How People Use the Internet

It changes not only how people use the internet, but also how enterprises acquire customers, build advantages, and earn profits.

In the past, you had to find a way for consumers to find you.In the future, you also have to give AI a reason to recommend you.

This change has only just begun.