Shop Smarter, Not Harder: How to Use AI Tools and Stay Safe This Black Friday
As Black Friday approaches, consumers are turning to artificial intelligence in record numbers. From personalized shopping agents to virtual try-ons, AI is reshaping how people discover deals, compare products, and make purchasing decisions. According to survey data from Kaspersky, 72% of respondents have used AI tools, with nearly one-third relying on them for everyday tasks such as creating shopping lists and managing budgets. With holiday promotions ramping up, this reliance on AI is expected to surge.
AI Takes the Lead in Black Friday Shopping
Consumers are now using AI as a powerful “deal hunter,” moving beyond traditional price comparison tools toward agentic commerce, where AI agents can autonomously search for products, track prices, and even complete purchases. Imagine instructing an AI assistant to constantly monitor the price of a specific 65-inch 4K TV and finalize the purchase once the price dips below your desired threshold.
Retailers and global marketplaces are accelerating this shift by integrating AI across every stage of the shopping journey. Dynamic pricing systems, predictive inventory algorithms, personalized recommendations, and AI-powered chat assistants are now common. Some major brands even allow customers to browse and buy directly through AI chat platforms like ChatGPT.
Yet the growing convenience of AI-driven shopping comes with cybersecurity risks. Granting AI tools greater control over purchasing decisions and payment workflows opens potential avenues for exploitation. Malicious actors can manipulate chatbots through prompt injection attacks that redirect users to harmful websites. Stolen credentials from these websites can lead to financial fraud and identity breaches.
Cybercriminals also take advantage of Black Friday’s popularity by impersonating trusted retailers like Amazon and Walmart, sending phishing messages that promise exclusive discounts or prizes. Kaspersky research indicates that retail-focused cyberthreats spiked by nearly 25% during last year’s Black Friday period.
How to Stay Safe While Securing the Best Deals
The key message: shoppers can enjoy AI-powered convenience without compromising their security. By following a few essential practices, consumers can protect themselves while still taking advantage of the year’s biggest savings.
• Craft smarter prompts. Vague AI prompts may lead to inaccurate results. Instead of saying: “Find me the best Black Friday laptop deals,” try a detailed instruction such as: “Act as my trusted personal shopping assistant. Find three laptops from reputable retailers like Apple, Amazon, or Dell with an average rating of 4 stars or higher, excluding sellers with fewer than 1,000 reviews. Provide product names, specifications, current prices, and verified links valid for Black Friday 2025.”
This ensures accuracy, reliability, and safer recommendations.
• Limit what you share with AI tools. Avoid giving browser plug-ins or AI agents direct access to your payment information unless they come from a well-established, trustworthy company. Strengthen your accounts with multi-factor authentication and use secure payment options such as credit cards, which offer better fraud protection than debit cards. To maximize protection of banking data, consider cybersecurity software with online payment safeguards.
• Verify URLs before entering personal information. Never click links from unsolicited emails, messages, or social media ads—no matter how attractive the offer. Instead, visit retailers’ official websites manually. Using a security solution with anti-phishing capabilities adds another layer of defense. Kaspersky, for example, uses AI-enhanced anti-phishing technologies to identify and block increasingly sophisticated attacks.
This Black Friday, AI can be your strongest ally in navigating the sales—but remember that cybercriminals are leveraging the same technology. By combining AI’s power with vigilant cybersecurity habits, shoppers can unlock unprecedented convenience and savings while avoiding seasonal digital threats.