Walmart unveils tools to let AI agents shop for customers
Walmart announced new tools on Wednesday that will let approved AI agents shop on behalf of its customers. Shoppers would be able to set spending limits for each agent. The move is a contrast with Amazon, which has been blocking outside shopping bots.
Walmart announced new tools on Wednesday to let approved AI agents shop for customers, TechCrunch and Business Insider reported. The tools cover Walmart and Sam's Club.
The plan has three parts, Walmart said. They are an Agent Gateway, Agent Profiles and a set of terms for AI agents.
The gateway is a new server that lets approved agents link up with Walmart, TechCrunch reported. It uses the model context protocol, a standard first created by Anthropic. Agents could search Walmart's stock and buy items for their users. They would not have to click through a website built for people. Walmart said it would begin with a beta for companies and developers.
Agent Profiles are set to roll out next month, TechCrunch reported. Each agent a customer uses would get its own profile. Its purchases would show up apart from the customer's own. Shoppers could require approval for every purchase, Walmart said. Or they could let an agent buy within a set limit, such as $50, $100 or $200.
Walmart compared the setup to adding an authorized user to a credit card, Business Insider reported. "As customers begin using agents to help them shop, we're building connections, permissions and options that complement those tools and support how customers want to use them," the company said in a statement.
Under the new terms, Walmart's usual returns policy would still apply when an agent does not act as intended, TechCrunch reported. Agents would not get customers' payment card details. They would also see the same prices a person sees on Walmart's website, Business Insider reported.
TechCrunch and Business Insider both compared the plan with Amazon's. Business Insider reported that Amazon recently blocked Meta's Muse agent from its site. Amazon said agents break its conditions of use. Amazon has also pushed back on other agents, Business Insider said. That includes a lawsuit against Perplexity.
Agent support would be open to anyone with a Walmart account, without a Walmart+ membership, TechCrunch reported.
What we know: Walmart has announced an agent gateway, agent profiles and rules for AI shoppers.
What we don't: When the gateway will open beyond its beta, and how many agent makers will sign on.
Where outlets agree TechCrunch and Business Insider both report that Walmart is adding agent profiles with spending limits and a gateway for AI shopping agents.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.