Walmart welcomes AI agents to shop on its platform
TechCrunch: While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome mat
As Amazon blocks AI agents from shopping on its site, Walmart is taking the opposite approach, introducing new technology that lets AI agents make purchases on customers' behalf, with controls over spending and transaction approvals.
What happened
Walmart is launching technology that allows AI agents to make purchases on its website on behalf of customers, with controls including spending limits and purchase approvals. The move contrasts with Amazon, which has blocked AI agents from shopping on its site. Walmart's system includes an Agent Gateway using an open standard and Agent Profiles that let customers set budget caps and require approval for purchases.
What each outlet adds
- TechCrunch ↗: Walmart's terms for agent operation include protections like access to only necessary information.
- The Verge ↗: The system will launch next month and specifically blocks agents from taking unintended actions or accessing unnecessary personal information.
Why it matters
This represents a diverging strategy among major online retailers in how they are responding to growing consumer use of AI agents, with some platforms locking them out entirely while Walmart is instead building infrastructure to support them.
Get smart on it
A major retailer has launched new technology to allow AI agents to make purchases on its platform on behalf of shoppers, taking the opposite approach from its top competitor, which has begun blocking AI agents from its site. The retailer's new system includes an Agent Gateway that lets approved AI agents search inventory and complete transactions, along with Agent Profiles that give customers control over spending limits and purchase approval for each agent they authorize. This matters because it represents a diverging strategy in how major online businesses are responding to growing consumer use of AI agents, with some platforms locking them out entirely while this retailer is instead building infrastructure to support them. The retailer has also established specific terms for how agents must operate, including protections like access to only necessary information and the ability to return unwanted purchases if an agent malfunctions.
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