Walmart’s announcement of a new partnership with OpenAI signaled a significant change in how people shop online, allowing customers to buy its products directly within ChatGPT. According to the biggest retailer in the world, the partnership signals a shift from conventional e-commerce websites to AI-powered shopping experiences.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated on Tuesday that consumers have been using product lists and search bars to find what they’re looking for for years. “That is going to change,” he stated.
Walmart AI: Customers can order with ChatGPT
In the coming months, ChatGPT users in the United States will be able to use the chatbot to purchase Walmart products instantly. With the exception of fresh food, almost everything that is sold on Walmart’s website will be covered by the feature. Walmart+ members who use ChatGPT to make purchases will still be eligible for their regular benefits, like free shipping.
ChatGPT will soon integrate some Shopify merchants and allows users to purchase specific items from Etsy sellers. ChatGPT’s shopping service, Instant Checkout, currently supports only single-item purchases. Investors responded positively to the news; Walmart’s stock rose by almost 5% on Tuesday after the announcement.
As AI-assisted shopping shapes the future, Walmart is establishing itself as a key retail partner. The company is sharing purchase data with OpenAI by allowing transactions within ChatGPT, which is a big change from its previous approach. Large retailers like Walmart have long protected that data, which offers valuable insights into consumers and products, in order to increase sales or sell to advertisers. These insights for Walmart’s ChatGPT sales will now be available to OpenAI.
Walmart is using AI more broadly in addition to this retail partnership. OpenAI has developed an AI training-certificate program in collaboration with Walmart and other businesses. Executives from both companies highlighted how artificial intelligence will change the workforce at a recent conference held at Walmart’s headquarters.
“It’s very clear that AI is going to change literally every job,” McMillon said.
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