Walmart and Google bet on AI agents to reshape how people shop online

Walmart has announced a new integration with Google featuring Gemini, reflecting a shift from search-based shopping to AI systems acting on customers' behalf. The AI agents can learn customer purchasing habits and preferences, automating product suggestions and purchases, thereby enhancing the consumer shopping experience. This trend is expected to significantly improve competitiveness in the online retail market. According to Gartner, about 60% of consumers are seeking personalized services, pushing the adoption of AI technology, particularly among younger generations, which may greatly influence future purchasing behaviors against a backdrop of rising privacy and data management concerns. Walmart anticipates that the introduction of these AI agents will lead to increased revenue.