Walmart is preparing to allow artificial intelligence agents to shop on its website, marking a shift in how the retail giant interacts with emerging AI technologies. Starting next month, customers will be able to connect their own AI agents to the retailer’s platform, subject to a new set of rules designed to control spending and protect user data.
This move stands in direct contrast to Amazon, which has recently blocked access for AI shopping assistants from companies like Perplexity and Meta. While Amazon restricts these automated systems, Walmart is opening its doors, provided the agents adhere to specific operational guidelines.
Strict Rules for AI Agents
Walmart has outlined a clear set of terms for any AI agent wishing to use its platform. The retailer states that agents must not take actions beyond what the shopper explicitly intends. Furthermore, agents are prohibited from changing a customer’s payment method or accessing information that is not strictly necessary to complete a purchase task.
The company has stated it will block any agents that fail to follow these terms. This approach aims to prevent unauthorized transactions or data misuse while allowing the technology to function.
For users, the integration is managed through new “Agent Profiles.” By default, Walmart requires approval for all purchases made by an AI agent. However, shoppers can adjust these settings to allow automatic shopping within a defined budget, such as up to $100. Users can review their agent’s purchases separately from their own activity and have the ability to turn off the agent at any time.
Technical Infrastructure and Privacy
To facilitate this, Walmart has built an “Agent Gateway” that connects AI agents through the Model Context Protocol. This is an open standard that allows AI agents to plug into different services on the web. Walmart says this method enables AI agents to shop without running into hiccups that they might encounter when navigating a browser, but also prevents them from accessing your shopping history and personal information.
The retailer explained that if a customer tends to buy sourdough bread or a particular brand of milk, Walmart will help the agent find those usual items for the customer without sharing the customer’s broader shopping history with the agent.
The program will also extend to Sam’s Club, allowing AI agents to shop on that platform as well. This technical infrastructure is designed to streamline the shopping process for automated systems while maintaining strict boundaries on data access.
Source: The Verge
