Fed's Waller Addresses AI Agents' Role in Future Payments

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller delivered remarks at Sibos 2026 in Miami, Florida, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence agents and the evolving payments ecosystem, according to a speech released by the Federal Reserve Board.

The address, titled "Payments in the Age of AI Agents," comes as financial institutions and central banks worldwide are increasingly scrutinizing how autonomous AI systems could alter the speed, security, and structure of payment networks. Waller's appearance at Sibos — one of the financial industry's premier global conferences — signals the Fed's active engagement with emerging technology questions that carry significant regulatory and operational implications.

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AI agents, which can execute complex tasks autonomously on behalf of users or institutions, represent a frontier development in financial services. Their potential integration into payment flows raises fundamental questions about authorization, accountability, fraud prevention, and systemic risk — areas that fall squarely within the Federal Reserve's oversight mandate.

The Fed has been among several major central banks monitoring how rapid advances in machine learning and automation could affect monetary transmission, settlement finality, and consumer protection in payments. Waller's remarks at an international forum underscore that these concerns extend beyond domestic policy, touching cross-border payment architectures that serve global commerce.

Full details of Governor Waller's remarks and his specific policy positions on AI in payments are available directly from the source. Continue reading at FRB: Speeches.