Walmart’s new partnership with OpenAI integrates artificial intelligence-powered commerce directly into ChatGPT, a collaboration that marks what the company calls “AI-first shopping,” aiming to make retail more predictive, personal and effortless.
Under the deal, Walmart says it will start by allowing customers and members to shop Walmart through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout. Whether planning meals, restocking household essentials or finding something new, customers can simply chat and buy, and Walmart will handle the rest, the company says.
“For many years now, e-commerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses. That is about to change,” says Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart. “There is a native AI experience coming that is multimedia, personalized and contextual. We are running towards that more enjoyable and convenient future with Sparky and through partnerships including this important step with OpenAI.”
The initiative builds on Walmart’s broader AI strategy, which already extends across its entire ecosystem. The company and its warehouse club subsidiary, Sam’s Club, use AI to streamline product catalog creation, accelerate fashion production timelines by up to 18 weeks and improve customer care resolution times by as much as 40%.
“We’re excited to partner with Walmart to make everyday purchases a little simpler,” says Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. “It’s just one way AI will help people every day under our work together.”
Walmart says its vision for “agentic commerce” moves retail beyond a reactive model. Instead of waiting for customers to search, the system will learn, plan, and predict — helping shoppers anticipate their needs before they even arise.
Beyond customer-facing innovations, Walmart says it is also investing in its workforce through AI literacy and education. The company says it was one of the first to adopt OpenAI Certifications and has rolled out ChatGPT Enterprise to teams across its organization, giving associates access to advanced AI tools for greater efficiency and creativity.
