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You'll Soon Be Able to Buy Walmart Products Through ChatGPT

OpenAI's chatbot already connects to Etsy and Shopify. Now you can buy bananas too.

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Headshot of Imad Khan
Imad Khan Former Senior Reporter
Imad was a senior reporter covering Google and internet culture. Hailing from Texas, Imad started his journalism career in 2013 and has amassed bylines with The New York Times, The Washington Post, ESPN, Tom's Guide and Wired, among others.
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Imad Khan
2 min read
Walmart shopping logo on a phone

Walmart makes deal with OpenAI to allow for shopping through ChatGPT.

 James Martin/CNET

OpenAI and Walmart will soon offer shopping via AI through ChatGPT, the retail giant announced Tuesday.

Using ChatGPT's Instant Checkout feature, customers can buy groceries, electronics or other essentials through the chatbot interface. 

Walmart has its own AI assistant in its app named Sparky. With Sparky, customers can ask questions about products and get summaries of reviews to find the best item. 

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"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," Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a statement. "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."

When asked for comment, a Walmart spokesperson said the company wouldn't discuss the financial terms of the agreement.

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"We're excited to partner with Walmart to make everyday purchases a little simpler. It's just one way AI will help people every day under our work together," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a statement.

The deal with Walmart comes as OpenAI tries to make ChatGPT an all-in-one shopping experience. AI chatbots are increasingly being used as vehicles for online shopping. They can synthesize reviews from across the internet and give people direct answers to shopping questions. Already, ChatGPT connects with Etsy and Shopify with its Instant Checkout feature, allowing people to buy directly. OpenAI also added more shopping features in ChatGPT Search earlier this year. 

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) Â