NEW YORK, October 21 2026, Walmart has introduced new tools that allow artificial intelligence (AI) agents to shop and complete transactions on behalf of customers, as the retailer expands its presence in AI-powered online commerce.
The move highlights Walmart’s efforts to integrate AI assistants into its shopping services, contrasting with Amazon’s approach of restricting third-party AI shopping agents from accessing its platform.
Walmart said it would introduce Agent Profiles next month, allowing customers to authorise individual AI agents, monitor their purchases separately and establish spending limits or require approval for each transaction.
Customers will also be able to revoke an agent’s access at any time, giving them greater control over automated shopping activities.
The retailer has also launched the Walmart Agent Gateway, a platform that connects AI assistants, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Meta’s Muse, directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club systems to search for products and complete purchases.
Walmart said customers would retain control over their transactions, while AI agents would be prohibited from accessing payment card information. Agents that violate the company’s rules could also be blocked.
Mizuho analyst David Bellinger said the new tools could help build confidence in the emerging concept of AI-driven shopping, adding that growing support from senior management was helping the technology gain traction.
The tools will be available to all Walmart account holders without requiring a Walmart+ membership, the company said.
The launch reflects growing competition among retailers to adopt AI-powered shopping assistants, which could change how consumers discover products, make purchasing decisions and complete online transactions.
-THESTAR
