Walmart welcomes AI agents while Amazon blocks Muse
The AI shopping wars are here — and longtime nemeses Walmart and Amazon are taking a markedly different approach.
TL;DR
- Walmart is launching a new management system, Walmart Agent Gateway, to allow external AI agents to shop on its platform and Sam's Club.
- Walmart's system will enable customers to set spending limits, require purchase approval, and control agent access.
- Amazon blocked Meta's Muse from its platform, citing concerns over unauthorized access, data scraping, and customer security.
- Analysts suggest Amazon fears agentic shopping could undermine its advertising business and is betting on its own AI tools.
- Walmart's emphasis on 'everyday low prices' and its heavy traffic in practical items like groceries could attract outside shopping agents.
- A study suggests consumers will likely place serious limits on AI shopping agents, treating them like teenagers with car keys.
- Walmart denies accusations of using AI for discriminatory pricing, stating prices are the same for humans and AI agents.