Walmart opens shopping tools to third-party AI agents

· Tech · United States

Walmart rolled out two new tools to let third-party AI agents shop on behalf of customers, embracing a trend that Amazon is resisting. Walmart compared the arrangement to adding an authorised user to a credit card, as it seeks to capture purchases made through AI assistants. The move comes as retailers adapt to consumers using chatbots and agents to research and buy goods, raising questions about control of customer data and checkout.

Why it matters：How retailers handle AI agents will determine who controls shopping data and commissions as assistant-driven commerce grows.

Key points

  • Walmart rolled out two tools for third-party AI agents.
  • It compared the setup to adding an authorised card user.
  • Amazon is resisting the trend.

Sources (original reporting)

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