Walmart opens an AI agent gateway for online shopping

Walmart is launching an Agent Gateway that lets approved AI agents search its online inventory and place orders for customers. Sarah Perez reports for TechCrunch that the retailer is also introducing Agent Profiles and specific rules for agents using its services.

The Agent Gateway uses the Model Context Protocol, or MCP. This standard enables AI systems to connect with outside tools and data sources. In Walmart’s case, an approved agent can find products and make purchases for a user through Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Walmart says the system is designed to limit the personal information shared with an agent. Customers should be able to shop for familiar brands and products without providing an agent with their purchase history or payment information directly.

Controls for agent purchases

Agent Profiles are scheduled to roll out next month. A customer creates a separate profile the first time they use a particular AI agent through the gateway. They then connect that profile to their Walmart account and set rules for purchases.

• Customers can require approval for every transaction.
• They can allow purchases up to a chosen spending limit.
• Orders made by an agent appear separately from purchases made directly by the customer.
• Customers can remove an Agent Profile at any time.

Walmart compares the arrangement with adding an authorized user to a credit card account. The service will be available to Walmart account holders, without requiring a Walmart+ membership.

The retailer’s terms for AI agents say agents may act only within a shopper’s instructions and may access only information needed for a task. Walmart also says its normal returns process applies when an agent makes an unwanted purchase. Agents that do not follow the rules can lose access to Walmart’s website. The strategy contrasts with Amazon and several travel and booking platforms that have moved to block AI agents from making purchases.