Glossary/AI Search & Emerging/Machine Customer
AI Search & Emerging
Machine Customer
A Gartner term for a non-human economic actor, such as an AI agent, that obtains goods or services in exchange for payment.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
Machine customer is a Gartner term for a non-human economic actor, such as an AI agent or connected device, that obtains goods or services in exchange for payment. Examples include agents that reorder supplies or book services. The concept prompts businesses to design products, data, and sales processes that machines can evaluate and buy from.