Home · Technology · Oct 21 archive
Walmart Embraces AI Agents as Amazon Blocks Them
Confirmed
In Short: Walmart's embrace of AI agents stands in stark contrast to Amazon's approach, which recently blocked Perplexity’s shopping agent and Meta’s Muse AI assistant.
Walmart announced Wednesday that it has developed two new tools to assist third-party AI agents in shopping on behalf of customers: agent profiles and an agent gateway.
The agent profiles link all transactions to the bot that performed them, allowing Walmart customers to manage authorizations and spending limits as they would for an additional user on their credit card account.
The agent gateway, meanwhile, is designed to protect customer information and only provide necessary transaction details.
Walmart's approach contrasts sharply with Amazon's, which has recently blocked Meta's agent Muse and is facing a lawsuit from Perplexity.
The company is introducing special terms and conditions for AI agents, specifying how they must operate and what rights they have to transact on its site.
Walmart's agent gateway and profiles are part of a broader effort to support customers who want to use AI agents for shopping.
The company stated that it is building connections, permissions, and options that complement these tools and support how customers want to use them.
Walmart's embrace of AI agents stands in stark contrast to Amazon's approach, which recently blocked Perplexity’s shopping agent and Meta’s Muse AI assistant.
Walmart's new tools are designed to work more quickly and accurately, with a model text protocol that grants access to AI agents.
Walmart's terms and conditions for AI agents include honoring its usual returns policy and ensuring that agents see the same pricing as human shoppers.
Walmart has also announced a partnership with Meta’s Muse and offers integrations with popular AI apps like ChatGPT and Gemini.
This move by Walmart marks a pivotal moment in how major retailers are approaching AI-driven commerce.
What this adds
Walmart's strategy to embrace AI agents is a direct response to Amazon's restrictive approach, highlighting the competitive dynamics in the retail sector.
The diverging strategies of Walmart and Amazon reflect a broader debate in the industry about the role of AI in commerce.
Walmart's move to integrate AI agents is part of a larger trend towards automation and personalized shopping experiences in retail.
Walmart's new tools and terms for AI agents are still in the early stages, and their long-term impact on the retail industry remains to be seen.
What's confirmed
- Walmart Opens Doors to AI Shopping Agents as Amazon Slams Them Shut Walmart launches AI agent shopping tech while Amazon blocks bots from its platform PUBLISHED: Wed, Oct 21, 2026, 7:38 PM UTC | UPDATED: Wed, Oct 21, 2026, 7:38 PM UTC Photo: Walmart.com shopping interface displayed on a laptop screen on a desk with natural window light.
What's still developing
- But Walmart is opening its doors to AI shoppers — as long as they follow the retailer’s rules.
- Also: I found the best Labor Day Walmart deals: Save on Apple, Samsung, and more There are tons of deals on flagship tech to tiny gadgets, and across several popular retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, and more, on the last day of the long weekend.
- Labor Day weekend is almost over, but there are still last-minute deals available at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more.
- In case you missed the memo, physical copies of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are currently discounted at the likes of Amazon and Walmart.
- Sparky can answer non-product-specific questions as well, such as the weather, sporting schedule, how-to fix a faucet or dinner ideas, according to Walmart’s press release.
- “But given Walmart is Amazon’s only real competitor now, they would be remiss to not continuously release comparable features.” The Chief Marketer Network is a leading marketing intelligence hub connecting a global portfolio of 9 specialized media brands serving the primary channels of media and marketing, ranging from advertising technology to PR/Communications.
- Amazon typically has two big Prime Day events: One in the summer and one in the fall, so this will likely be the last one for the year.
- Some of the biggest ones include Target Circle Deal Days and Walmart's October deal event.
- FOX Business' Darren Botelho discusses the DOJ expanding its beef price investigation to eight major retail chains, including Walmart and Amazon.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout *The OnePay CashRewards Mastercard is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
- Annual fee : None (see rates and fees ) Welcome offer : Earn $35 cash back upon account opening and 3% cash back on all non-Walmart purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
- Benefits at Walmart : The OnePay CashRewards Card earns 5% cash back** on Walmart purchases (online or in-store) if you're a Walmart+ member.