Walmart embraces AI shopping agents as Amazon blocks them

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 20:44 · Archive

Walmart is launching technology to let AI agents make purchases on its behalf, contrasting with Amazon's ban on such agents.

Walmart announced on Wednesday that it will let AI agents make purchases on its website, launching an Agent Gateway to manage transactions. The system will be available next month and applies to both Walmart and its Sam's Club discount warehouse. Customers will be able to connect their AI agents to the site with controls in place to approve and review purchases and set spending limits.

Agents will connect through new 'Agent Profiles' within Walmart accounts. By default, Walmart will require approval for all AI agent purchases, but customers can allow shopping within a set budget, such as up to £100. Customers can also review their agent's purchases separately and turn the agent off at any time. The Agent Gateway uses the Model Context Protocol, an open standard that allows AI agents to connect to different services.

Walmart's approach stands in stark contrast to Amazon, which has blocked AI agents from shopping on its site. Amazon has banned Perplexity's shopping agent and Meta's Muse AI assistant. Walmart has set terms for agents, saying they must not take actions beyond what the shopper intends and cannot change payment methods or access unnecessary information. The retailer says it will block agents that do not follow these rules.

How it is being reported

• While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome matAs 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.TechCrunch · 21 Oct, 20:30
• Walmart is inviting AI agents to shop for youWalmart will soon let AI agents shop on its website for you. Next month, the retail giant will allow you to connect your own AI agent to the site, with systems in place to let you approve and review purchases and set spending limits. The embrace of AI agents stands in stark contrast to Amazon, […]The Verge · 21 Oct, 20:30

In this story: Walmart · Amazon · Meta · Perplexity · Anthropic

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