Walmart has introduced new features that allow AI agents to search for products and carry out purchases on behalf of customers, aiming to take a leading role in AI-driven e-commerce while stressing customer control over the process.
Customer controls and permissions
Starting from next month, Walmart will roll out a feature called Agent Profiles. Through this interface, customers can grant individual AI agents access to their accounts, monitor purchases made by each agent, set spending limits, and require pre-approval for every transaction if they choose. Access granted to an agent can be revoked at any time.
Walmart stated that AI agents will not be given access to customers’ payment card data and that any software violating company policies will be blocked immediately. The new features will be available to all Walmart account holders without requiring a Walmart+ membership.
Agent Gateway connects external assistants to Walmart and Sam’s Club
At the same time, Walmart has launched the Agent Gateway platform, which provides direct connections from third-party AI assistants into Walmart’s and Sam’s Club’s systems. The company named OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Meta Muse as examples of assistants that can use the Gateway to search for products and complete purchases on behalf of users.
Market positioning and analyst view
Walmart’s approach contrasts with Amazon’s more restrictive stance toward third-party AI shopping agents, as Amazon has sought to limit such access to its platform. David Bellinger, an analyst at Mizuho, said Walmart’s solution could build trust around AI-driven shopping while the commitment from senior management suggests the technology could become a meaningful market factor.
Timing and related events
AI-driven agents and fintech topics will also be discussed at the Portfolio Banking Technology conference on November 10, where industry leaders will delve into technological and business aspects of digital banking. Walmart says Agent Profiles will be available from next month, while Agent Gateway has already been launched.
Sources and notes
Reporting on the announcement is based on Reuters. An AI assistant contributed to preparing this article; a journalist edited and verified the final content.
Lead image: illustrative (Getty Images).
