Consumers are not deciding whether to trust AI agents in absolute terms; they are setting conditions for delegation. Drawing on a survey of 1,050 consumers across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, this article examines how approval steps, spending limits, verified identity and human escalation shape trust, and why the winning agentic products will be those that make autonomy bounded, transparent and recoverable when mistakes happen.

AI agents are moving consumers beyond simple assistance towards delegated action, but adoption is not progressing at the same speed. Blackbox research across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan shows that consumers are increasingly comfortable using AI to inform decisions, while remaining more cautious about allowing it to act autonomously. The real adoption challenge lies in permission, control and trust.

High-impact market research requires more than accurate data; it demands strategic storytelling. In Asia’s complex business landscape, insights often fail because they are designed for researchers rather than decision-makers. Blackbox bridges this gap by prioritizing context and executive-ready visualization. We utilize three specific principles to convert market intelligence into high-velocity business results, preventing insights from becoming obsolete.

Gen Z Singaporeans are emerging as one of the most influential consumer groups today, but not in the ways you might expect. New insights from Blackbox’s latest SensingSG wave highlight surprising shifts in sentiment, trust, and engagement among under-30s. From their outlook on the future to how they interact with brands and technology, this generation is quietly but decisively reshaping the rules. Here are five key ways they could be rewriting the consumer playbook.

Nomination Day 2025 has set the tone for a competitive and closely watched election. Drawing from Blackbox’s latest data, this analysis explores what the candidate line-ups reveal about voter sentiment, leadership favourability, and top concerns — from cost-of-living pressures to rising interest in opposition rallies and political engagement.