Walmart to let customers use AI agents for online shopping

Walmart plans to let customers connect their own AI agents to shop on its website from next month. The move makes Walmart more open to automated shopping than Amazon, which has blocked some third-party shopping agents, while keeping purchases subject to controls set by Walmart.

Customers can require approval for every purchase or set a spending limit, such as $100, and can review agent purchases separately or switch the agent off. Walmart’s Agent Gateway uses the Model Context Protocol to connect agents without giving them access to customers’ broader shopping histories or personal information; agents must follow rules including not changing payment methods. The service will also be available at Sam’s Club.