Technology

Ok, so I think I’ve actually seen some of this in action. And, I think there is a certain level of convenience here that isn’t properly being conveyed in the short headline.

Imagine you want to pay your utility bill by credit card. Your smart meter tracks your usage and enters it into the utility system. Their AI agent then generates a utility bill based upon your purchase agreement. Another agent performs an audit to verify the numbers. And lastly, another agent sends the invoice to your cc company.

Now on your side. You’ve already authorized the cc company to authorize utility payments up to a certain threshold and frequency. It understands the rules and so it processes the payment for you.

Now, you may ask. “How is this different than autopay.” Well, for one, you no longer would have to configure your autopay with every single company, you just do it with your bank or cc company, making it more centralized and convenient.

Potentially less overhead for both companies too. Less maintenance for all the websites and payment processes your utility company has to keep up now. Less people involved in the invoicing stream too. And I don’t know about you, but personally I feel like an AP clerk would be a fairly dull way to live. Let them do the more complex work of bulk invoice auditing.

On the cc side, an agent can streamline the processes and API handshakes where they have agreements with companies like the utility company. And on your side, you get the convenience of autopay. Much better than the current duct taped together connectors and processes between companies. And moreover, much less of your time to pay than the days of yore when you had to sign and handover your check through the utility company drive through.

I could also see this being used for routine maintenance, groceries, prescriptions. Anything where you have a typical ordering frequency and schedule.

Of course, this could get all wiki sticks quickly. Companies could abuse it and jack up prices since you’re not monitoring it, but they do that now anyway, so we have to remain vigilant.