OpenAI's new deal with Walmart shows how AI is going to shake up the shopping experience

"AI shopping may be going mainstream. On Tuesday, Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, announced a partnership with OpenAI to shake up the e-commerce experience. Shoppers can now make direct Walmart purchases through the ChatGPT app and plan their purchases around their individual meals and needs. "For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses," Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart Inc., said in a statement. "That is about to change.""

"The move marks an expansion of Walmart's partnership with OpenAI, which has so far been focused on more internal use of the AI company's tools. Walmart launched a new AI skills training program for employees this summer, and last month rolled out access to the enterprise-grade ChatGPT for Sam's Club workers. At the same time, Walmart has been developing its own in-house army of AI agents, such as the AI assistant Sparky, which perform some of the same tasks as OpenAI's products."

"However, when asked whether he has a preference for shoppers using Walmart's tools or those made by another company, Walmart US CEO John Furner said last month that he's only concerned with making it easier for shoppers to buy from Walmart. "We want to make sure we're building in the flexibility that you can shop however you want," he said. "Whether that comes off of our marketplace - it's pickup, delivery, it's our stores - I need to make sure that we're just there to prepare you the way that you want to be served.""

Walmart partnered with OpenAI to enable direct purchases through the ChatGPT app, allowing shoppers to plan purchases around meals and personal needs. The partnership expands an existing relationship that has included internal AI tool use, employee AI skills training, and enterprise-grade ChatGPT access for Sam's Club workers. Walmart is also developing in-house AI agents such as Sparky to support shopping tasks. Company leaders emphasize flexibility so customers can shop via marketplace, pickup, delivery, or in-store options. Retail analysts see the move as advancing Walmart's AI integration across operations. ChatGPT has launched other retail partnerships starting with Etsy sellers, while Amazon prioritizes its own AI tools to protect ad revenue.

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