PayPal Recognized as Global Leader in AI Talent in 2026 Evident AI Index for Payments
PayPal has been named the global leader in AI talent in the 2026 Evident AI Index for Payments, ranking first worldwide for AI Talent and second for Innovation across the payments industry.
Artificial intelligence has long been central to PayPal’s commitment to trust and innovation. For years, AI has powered the company’s industry-leading fraud prevention, risk management, and the personalized experiences delivered to millions of consumers and merchants worldwide. PayPal’s early investments in AI have positioned the company to lead in the era of agentic commerce – extending trust, security, and seamless access across our global network of consumers and merchants.
“As commerce becomes increasingly intelligent and agentic, PayPal is building the infrastructure that will enable safe, open, and trusted AI-driven experiences at global scale,” said Srini Venkatesan, Chief Technology Officer at PayPal. “Our world-class AI talent, combined with sustained investment in our platforms and research, enables us to move rapidly from concept to scaled deployment – delivering real impact for our customers.”
The Evident AI Index is an independent benchmark that evaluates AI maturity across the financial services sector, analyzing millions of public data points across four key categories: Talent, Innovation, Leadership, and Transparency. In their inaugural AI Index for payments, PayPal placed first in Talent and second in Innovation, underscoring its ability to attract and develop top AI expertise while translating emerging technologies into production at scale.
“We are committed to leading with responsible, merchant-first innovation that empowers businesses to compete and thrive in an AI-driven economy,” said Michelle Gill, GM of Small Business and Financial Services at PayPal. “Evident’s independent analysis highlights PayPal’s strength in translating AI innovation into measurable results for merchants.”
This latest recognition adds to a growing list of accolades highlighting PayPal’s leadership at the intersection of artificial intelligence and financial services, reinforcing the company’s position as a trusted innovator shaping the future of global commerce.