Ant Digital Technologies has introduced a new AI-powered payment function designed to enable AI agents to complete financial transactions autonomously. The feature, launched on April 21 within the company’s DTClaw platform, marks another step toward integrating artificial intelligence into real-world commerce by allowing AI systems to initiate and complete payments with user approval.
The new functionality allows users to activate an AI-driven payment capability directly through the DTClaw platform. Once enabled and authorised, the system can invoke Alipay to complete transactions such as subscription purchases or service renewals.
In practice, this significantly simplifies routine payments. For example, renewing a digital subscription can be completed in three steps: the user states the request, the system generates and confirms the order, and the user approves the payment.
The feature is built on Alipay’s underlying AI payment infrastructure and is designed specifically for AI agents operating within the OpenClaw ecosystem. By enabling AI systems to complete payments independently, the platform aims to close what Ant describes as the “value loop” for autonomous agents — allowing them not only to perform tasks but also execute the financial actions required to complete them.
Security and oversight remain central to the rollout. DTClaw requires manual activation of the payment feature along with identity verification before use. In addition, every transaction still requires explicit user confirmation to proceed.
To further manage risk, Ant Digital Technologies has implemented its proprietary CARLI security model. This framework introduces “braking” and “black box” mechanisms that ensure AI agent activity can be controlled, audited and traced if necessary. These safeguards are designed to maintain transparency and prevent uncontrolled automated financial actions.
DTClaw has also completed six major security evaluations conducted by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), making it one of the first platforms in China to achieve compliance under the organisation’s security assessment framework.
The AI-powered payment feature is currently available in public beta, with developers and users able to register through the company’s official website.
What This Means for the Industry
- AI agents are moving beyond task automation and beginning to handle financial transactions, a critical step toward autonomous digital services.
- Integrated payment infrastructure could enable AI-driven commerce, where agents purchase services, subscriptions or digital tools independently.
- Strong governance models like Ant’s CARLI security framework will likely become essential as financial institutions explore AI-driven payments.
- The development signals growing competition to build payment rails designed specifically for AI ecosystems, rather than traditional user interfaces.
