Walmart unveils Agent Gateway MCP server and dedicated Agent Profiles with special terms for AI (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)
agents
| Source: Techmeme | Original article
Walmart has launched an Agent Gateway, an MCP server that lets approved AI agents shop its site, alongside dedicated Agent Profiles with special AI terms.
Walmart announced on Wednesday that it is rolling out an “Agent Gateway,” a new MCP server designed to let approved AI agents browse its catalogue and complete purchases on behalf of shoppers. The service, unveiled at the Masters of Scale Summit, also introduces “Agent Profiles,” dedicated account spaces for each AI assistant that include bespoke terms, spending limits and per‑purchase approval controls.
The move deepens Walmart’s foray into agentic commerce, a theme the retailer began exploring in earlier coverage of its invitation to AI assistants to shop for customers. By providing a standardized gateway and transparent policy framework, Walmart aims to make third‑party agents more secure and reliable, addressing concerns around fraud, data privacy and brand consistency while giving users finer control over how bots interact with their accounts.
Industry observers see the launch as a potential catalyst for broader adoption of AI‑mediated shopping. If successful, the Agent Gateway could become a reference model for other retailers seeking to integrate external agents without exposing their platforms to unmanaged traffic. It also puts pressure on competitors—most notably Amazon, which has recently restricted AI agents—to rethink their own policies.
What to watch next: Walmart plans to roll out Agent Profiles to customers next month, and the company will likely publish detailed usage metrics as the gateway gains traction. Attention will also turn to how major AI platforms respond—whether they will certify their assistants for Walmart’s gateway and how regulators view the new “terms” governing automated purchases. The evolution of this infrastructure will shape the balance between convenience and oversight in the emerging AI‑driven retail landscape.
Sources
Back to AIPULSEN