Walmart is introducing a new way for customers to shop online through a collaboration with OpenAI. The retailer is launching a feature that will allow shoppers to buy items directly through ChatGPT, the popular AI-powered chatbot.
The new feature will be available to both Walmart+ subscribers and regular users. It’s designed to simplify common tasks such as refilling household essentials, planning meals, or browsing for items. Instead of navigating long product pages, users can now ask ChatGPT for suggestions and complete purchases in a few steps using a tool called Instant Checkout.
Walmart says this technology removes the usual steps of online shopping, as the platform will handle the order and delivery once the user confirms their selection through the chatbot.
Walmart partners with ChatGPT to enhance online shopping experience
Doug McMillon, Walmart’s president and CEO, explained that this move is part of the company’s larger goal to make online shopping more interactive and tailored to each person’s needs. Instead of relying only on basic search bars and endless scrolling, Walmart’s approach adds a conversation-style experience that feels more natural and efficient.
This effort is part of what Walmart calls “agentic commerce,” a concept where AI doesn’t just wait for commands — it anticipates what shoppers might need next. By learning from users’ shopping habits, the system aims to recommend useful products and streamline the decision-making process.
The technology relies in part on Sparky, Walmart’s in-house AI assistant, and builds on its expanding partnership with OpenAI. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said the goal is to make everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping, more convenient through simple, practical tools powered by AI.
Expanding AI use across the business
Walmart isn’t limiting AI to customer interactions. The company and its warehouse chain, Sam’s Club, are also using the technology to improve operations behind the scenes. For example, AI tools have helped speed up clothing design and manufacturing timelines by more than four months. Customer service teams have also reported solving issues almost twice as fast, according to company figures.
The company is also investing in its employees. It has launched AI literacy training and given teams access to tools such as ChatGPT Enterprise. Walmart was among the first to adopt OpenAI Certifications, which aim to help employees gain skills needed to work with AI tools.
Despite the focus on automation, Walmart maintains that people remain at the center of its business. The company says its aim is not to replace workers but to make their jobs easier by removing repetitive tasks and giving them more time to focus on meaningful interactions with customers.