While Amazon blocks AI agents, Walmart rolls out the welcome mat

Walmart announced an Agent Gateway, an MCP server that lets approved AI agents search its online inventory and make purchases for users, along with Agent Profiles rolling out next month that let customers authorize each agent, track its purchases separately, and set per-transaction approval or spending limits. The retailer also introduced terms for AI agents, stating its returns process applies even when an agent doesn't act as intended, and that agents cannot access payment information or act beyond the shopper's intent. The move follows Amazon's blocking of AI agents from making purchases on shoppers' behalf.