OpenAI, Walmart partner to bring shopping directly into ChatGPT

OpenAI is teaming up with Walmart to allow users to make purchases directly within ChatGPT, signaling a significant move into online commerce for the AI company as it seeks new revenue streams.

Announced Tuesday, the partnership will let users “chat and buy” — enabling instant checkout for Walmart products through ChatGPT. Customers will be able to purchase items like groceries, household supplies, and other goods by simply chatting with the AI, making online shopping a more conversational and streamlined experience.

“For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses,” said Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. “That is about to change.”

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman added that the partnership is designed to “make everyday purchases a little simpler.”

While the companies did not specify a launch date, Walmart stated the feature would be available “soon.”

The collaboration marks OpenAI’s most prominent retail partnership to date, following similar integrations with Shopify and Etsy sellers. It also positions the company to potentially compete with giants like Amazon and Google for transaction-based revenues — a notable shift for OpenAI, which has yet to become profitable and largely depends on investor funding to operate its high-powered AI systems.

The underlying technology is built on OpenAI’s "Instant Checkout" system, developed in collaboration with payments processor Stripe, which was also used in the Shopify and Etsy integrations.

For Walmart, the move is part of a broader AI push across its operations. The retailer pointed to ongoing efforts such as its in-house AI assistant Sparky and AI-driven innovations at Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club members will also have access to the new ChatGPT shopping experience.

“AI is transforming everything we do, from smarter catalogs to faster delivery, and it only works if people trust it,” said Daniel Danker, Walmart’s executive vice president of AI Acceleration, Product and Design.

The market responded positively to the news, with Walmart shares rising nearly 5% by Tuesday’s market close.

SR