Key facts
- Walmart's Agent Gateway uses the model context protocol (MCP) to connect AI agents.
- Customers can set spending limits and approval requirements for AI agents.
- AI agents cannot access customer payment information.
- Agents that do not comply with Walmart's terms will be blocked.
Walmart announced on Wednesday the launch of its Agent Gateway, a new system designed to facilitate transactions for AI agents. This initiative allows approved AI agents to connect to Walmart's platform via the model context protocol (MCP), originally developed by Anthropic, enabling them to search inventory and make purchases on behalf of users. The move positions Walmart as embracing agentic commerce, contrasting with Amazon's recent decision to block AI agents from its website. Walmart's strategy also includes features like Agent Profiles, which will allow customers to manage and authorize AI agents, control spending limits, and view agent-initiated purchases separately. The company stated that agents cannot access customer payment information and must comply with specific terms of operation, or they will be blocked from the site.