WORLDTECHWalmart opens its shopping to AI agents as Amazon shuts them out
Walmart is introducing technology that lets AI agents buy products on customers' behalf, with controls over spending and transaction approval. The move runs counter to Amazon, which is blocking AI agents from shopping on its site, according to a report by TechCrunch.
What Walmart is launching
Walmart is building in a way for AI agents, meaning software that carries out multi-step tasks rather than answering a single question, to make purchases for shoppers. According to TechCrunch, the system comes with controls over how much can be spent and over which transactions must be approved before they go through.
Amazon's opposing stance
Amazon is taking the opposite course by preventing AI agents from shopping on its platform. The contrast between the two retailers is the central point of the TechCrunch report, which is the sole source for these details.
Open questions
- Which AI agents will be able to use Walmart's purchasing technology?
- When will the technology become available to shoppers?