While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome mat
techcrunch ·
Walmart has launched its Agent Gateway, an MCP server designed to facilitate agentic commerce by allowing approved AI agents to search inventory and make purchases on behalf of users. This strategic move contrasts sharply with competitor Amazon, which recently began blocking AI agents from completing transactions on its platform. The new system enables integration with popular AI applications like Meta’s Muse, ChatGPT, and Gemini while ensuring that customer personal data and purchase history remain private. To provide greater control, Walmart is introducing Agent Profiles next month, which allow shoppers to set spending limits and require approval for specific transactions, similar to authorized credit card users. Additionally, the retailer has established strict terms for AI agents, prohibiting unauthorized actions and ensuring that standard return policies apply even if an agent malfunctions. These measures aim to build consumer trust in agentic shopping without requiring a Walmart+ membership. By differentiating agent-initiated purchases from direct customer orders, Walmart seeks to prepare for a future where AI agents become mainstream in online retail.
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