Walmart Opens Retail Systems to AI Shopping Agents

Walmart has announced tools that will let customers use artificial intelligence agents to search its retail systems and make purchases on their behalf, positioning the retailer differently from Amazon, which has restricted third-party shopping agents’ access to its platform. Walmart said its Agent Gateway will connect approved AI assistants with Walmart and Sam’s Club systems so they can search inventory and complete transactions. The company said the gateway is designed to let agents shop without navigating webpages built for human users. A separate feature, called Agent Profiles, is planned to roll out next month. Walmart said customers will be able to authorize individual agents, set spending limits or require approval for each transaction, and track an agent’s purchases separately from their own. Customers will also be able to revoke an agent’s access. The tools will be available to people with Walmart accounts without requiring a paid membership, the company said. Walmart also said agents will not be able to access customers’ payment-card data or take actions beyond the permissions granted by shoppers. Agents that violate the company’s rules can be blocked from its...