Mastercard has launched the Payment Optimization Platform (POP), which utilizes data and AI to enhance transaction approval rates for merchants, resulting in a reported 9% to 15% increase in conversions during pilot tests. POP analyzes over a trillion data combinations in real-time to optimize payment authorizations, aiming to deliver a seamless payment experience. The service is being rolled out in collaboration with partners like Adyen and Worldpay, with plans for broader implementation later this year.