Mastercard reached a major technological milestone today by conducting the first real transaction using an autonomous AI agent in Portugal. The payment, which utilized “Agent Pay” technology and authentic Portuguese card credentials, took place during the official presentation of Mastercard’s Innovation Centre of Excellence in Lisbon.
Paulo Raposo, Mastercard’s country manager for Portugal, confirmed that the successful test means Portuguese cards are technically ready for the “agentic” era. “It is now a matter of commercial deployment,” Raposo explained.
“Our role was to enable the cards, and that is done.” The system relies on advanced authentication procedures to verify the legitimacy of the AI agent, ensuring that the credentials are true and that the human cardholder retains the power to cancel the purchase at any time.
The primary challenge in developing these agents lies in authentication and certification. Raposo highlighted that Mastercard has invested heavily to ensure that when an AI agent acts on behalf of a consumer, it is “credible” and “good.”
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While AI promises to simplify life for businesses and consumers, the company acknowledges it also introduces new security risks that require rigorous oversight.
The announcement coincided with a look inside Mastercard’s Lisbon hub, which has grown from a small pilot five years ago into a sophisticated center of 600 highly qualified professionals.
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Talent: 72% of the workforce is Portuguese, with an average age of 34.
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Specialization: The team consists of software engineers and data scientists focusing on cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and AI-driven data platforms.
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Network: The Lisbon center operates in a coordinated network with other European centers of excellence.
Kelly Devine, President of Mastercard Europe, emphasized that the investment reflects Portugal’s capacity to host large-scale technological operations, bolstering the country’s international competitiveness.
Mastercard also addressed the upcoming digital euro, noting that they are monitoring the project closely. While Raposo admitted it represents a “competitive area” for the company, he stated that the challenge pushes the firm to innovate further and move “far beyond the card,” focusing on its identity as a pure technology company.
