Walmart Rolls Out AI Agent Shopping Features

Walmart introduces new AI agent shopping features, contrasting with Amazon's approach to the technology.

Walmart has launched new technology enabling AI agents to make purchases on customers' behalf, including controls over spending and transaction approvals. This move positions Walmart in direct contrast to Amazon, which is blocking AI agents from shopping on its site. The retailer's new offerings are designed to prepare for a future where AI agents are mainstream, according to Walmart president and CEO John Furner.

The new features include Walmart's Agent Gateway, an MCP server designed to connect approved agents to Walmart using the model context protocol (MCP). This protocol, originally from Anthropic, allows AI agents to search Walmart's online inventory and make purchases. Additionally, Walmart is introducing Agent Profiles, which will allow customers to authorize each AI agent with a dedicated profile, view agent purchases separately, and set spending limits or require approval for transactions. These controls are likened to adding an authorized user to a credit card.

Walmart is also implementing special terms for AI agents, specifying their operational guidelines and transaction rights. The company states that its standard returns process applies to agent-initiated purchases, even if an agent misbehaves. Agents are restricted from accessing customer payment information and can only access necessary data for a given task. Agents failing to comply with these terms will be blocked from the site, providing a customer-friendly condition for early adopters of agentic commerce.

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