Walmart Now Lets AI Shop for You—With Spending Limits

Walmart is opening its website to AI shopping agents next month, allowing you to delegate purchases to artificial intelligence. Unlike Amazon, which has blocked similar tools, Walmart is embracing this technology with strict rules. Agents must stick to what you intend to buy, can't change your payment method, and only access information needed for the task. You can set spending limits, like $100, and review all agent purchases separately. This means you could have an AI automatically buy your usual groceries without constantly checking in.

The system works through Walmart's new "Agent Profiles" and an "Agent Gateway" that connects AI agents securely. Walmart says this prevents agents from seeing your entire shopping history—for example, it might tell an agent you like sourdough bread without revealing everything else you've bought. The gateway uses an open standard called Model Context Protocol, which lets AI agents plug into different services. This not only makes shopping smoother but also protects your privacy. The feature will also be available at Sam's Club.

For everyday shoppers, this could save time on routine purchases. Imagine telling an AI to reorder your household essentials or buy a gift within a budget—and it just happens. But there's a catch: you'll need to trust the AI to make choices, and while Walmart has safeguards, you should still review purchases. The convenience comes with the need to set clear boundaries and monitor activity. Walmart's move signals a growing trend of AI agents handling everyday tasks, which could change how we shop online.