Walmart has entered into a collaboration with OpenAI to enable customers and members to make purchases from the company directly within ChatGPT.
Initially, Walmart and OpenAI plan to work on allowing the former’s customers to shop through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout. This will enable them to chat and buy, regardless of whether they are planning meals, restocking household essentials, or looking for something new.
Redefining everyday shopping
Through this AI-first approach, Walmart and OpenAI intend to change how individuals do their everyday shopping, shifting from a reactive to a proactive experience, where their needs are anticipated. By working together, the two companies seek to move beyond traditional ecommerce search bars and deliver a personalised, contextual, and multi-media interface. Talking about this move, representatives from Walmart emphasised that, as the company focuses on facilitating a more convenient future with Sparky, its AI shopping assistant that synthesises reviews and supports users in finding their favourite items, entering partnerships such as this one with OpenAI advances its mission and allows it to deliver on its commitments.
Additionally, the collaboration between the two companies follows the implementation of AI on multiple plans for Walmart and Sam’s Club, with the two already utilising the technology for improving product catalogues, optimising customer care resolution times, and promoting AI literacy among associates.
To further support its workforce, Walmart provides it with the ability to obtain OpenAI Certifications, with the company being among the first partners to do so. Also, the retailer is launching ChatGPT Enterprise to teams across its entire operations.
The launch of Instant Checkout in ChatGPT
Shortly before this announcement, Stripe announced its support for OpenAI’s plans to roll out Instant Checkout as part of ChatGPT. This enabled ChatGPT users across the US to buy goods from Etsy businesses based in the region directly in the chat. At that time, the two companies also announced that they had bigger plans, including the integration of over a million Shopify merchants, such as Glossier, Vuori, Spanx, and SKIMS, as part of the experience.
