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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryAI Search & EmergingMachine 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 MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated 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.