Tools · 2026-10-21

Amazon blocks its site to AI agents, while Walmart opens the door

Walmart lets AI agents shop for customers while keeping control over spending and payment confirmations, while Amazon blocks its site to such agents.

✨ What happened

Amazon does not allow AI agents to shop on its website. Walmart has taken the opposite approach and is rolling out a new technology that lets such agents buy products on behalf of customers.

📌 What an AI agent is

An AI agent is a program based on artificial intelligence that can perform actions on a person's behalf, rather than only answering questions. For example, it can find the right product and place an order.

🔹 How it is supposed to work

According to TechCrunch, Walmart has built in control mechanisms. Users can limit spending amounts and confirm individual transactions, so the agent does not have full freedom with the customer's money.

🔸 Why it matters

This story shows that large retail platforms have different attitudes toward automatic purchases made through AI. For ordinary shoppers, it means such assistants will appear in various stores in the near future, and it will be up to companies how convenient and safe they are to use.

Sources: 🔗 TechCrunch — AI