You think you’re in control of what you choose in a supermarket? Well, sorry to report, but you’ve been played. You don’t decide what you buy at the grocery store. An algorithm does. Welcome to the brave new world of the Agentic AI shopping experience. Your grocery trip is an experiment—and you’re the test subject. You’re not in control and here’s why.

Pricing and promotions are manipulated just for you. You think the electronic shelf price is the same for everyone?  The offers hitting your phone, your inbox, and your app are tuned into you—your income bracket, your brand loyalties, your preferences and soft spots. And you gave it all permission. That’s the promise of AI, as long as it doesn’t terrify you.

Think about it. You signed up for loyalty programs. But they aren’t just about rewarding you—it’s a brilliant way to deliver exactly what you want based on what the data has recorded. It’s a win-win if you think about it. You provide access to your personal data, and your local store becomes your personal shopper.

Every scan of your card, every clipped coupon, every “substitute” you accept when something’s out of stock is recorded. You’re not just earning points; you’re teaching the system how to give you what exactly you want.

This is not a bad thing if you want a seamless, stress-free shopping experience. The more you let AI know, the more your local shopping experience can make your life easier. We’re just entering this new world on steroids where AI data accelerates the information you give it to deliver an experience that makes you the most important priority.

Is this creeping you out? Don’t panic. You can limit what AI can access and control the world curated just for you. If it does creep you out, be aware, be informed. But when you think about it, we’re entering a social contract with Agentic AI that can make our lives easier. That’s not so bad.