EP10| In Conversation with Kevin Miller, Stripe’s Global Payments Lead: What Is Economic Infrastructure in the AI Era?

AI agents are rapidly evolving into active participants in the digital economy, shifting from passive content consumers to entities capable of executing transactions and calling APIs. This transition necessitates a robust financial infrastructure that prioritizes security, trust, and clear authorization models. Stripe, functioning as programmable financial infrastructure, is adapting to this machine economy by managing token traffic and providing tools for companies to monitor and optimize AI-related spending. As businesses, particularly those in China, scale globally, they require deep integrations for cross-border payments and local financial capabilities to maintain growth. The emergence of AI agents represents a significant shift in commerce, where automated systems increasingly handle purchasing decisions, requiring new frameworks for accountability and financial control to ensure these transactions remain secure and efficient. Kevin Miller, lead for payments and risk at Stripe, highlights these developments as essential components for the future of global commerce.