Explore Seamless Shopping and Instant Payments with the ChatGPT App

Walmart just partnered with OpenAI to let customers shop directly through ChatGPT. Starting Tuesday, shoppers can buy items from Walmart and Sam's Club stores without leaving the chat app, using ChatGPT's built-in payment system.

This follows similar deals OpenAI made last month with Etsy and Shopify, which boosted both companies' stock prices. The move shows how AI companies are trying to turn their chat tools into shopping platforms.

For Walmart, this fits into a bigger push to use AI across its operations. The world's largest retailer has been adding artificial intelligence to cut costs and make shopping easier as more companies adopt the technology. Earlier this year, Walmart announced plans for AI-powered "super agents" that would handle customer service and streamline store operations.

The partnership makes sense for both sides. OpenAI gets to monetize ChatGPT beyond subscription fees, while Walmart reaches customers where they're already spending time. Instead of opening a separate shopping app, people can just ask ChatGPT to order groceries or household items.

But here's the thing - this could change how we think about online shopping. If chat apps become the new storefronts, traditional e-commerce sites might need to rethink their approach. Amazon has dominated online retail for years, but AI-powered shopping through chat could level the playing field.

For investors, this signals that AI integration isn't just about efficiency anymore. Companies are finding ways to use AI as a direct revenue driver. Walmart's stock has already benefited from its AI initiatives, and this OpenAI partnership could attract more tech-savvy customers.

The success of this partnership will depend on whether people actually want to shop through a chat interface. Some customers might find it convenient, while others prefer browsing traditional websites. Either way, it's another sign that AI is moving from the background into front-facing customer experiences.