Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to create the artificial intelligence-first shopping experience, with its new chatbot “Sparky.” 

In a new instant checkout feature, ChatGPT allows customers to shop straight from its chatbot, helping guide their decisions in ways that traditional, generic e-commerce search tools can’t.

“We are running towards that more enjoyable and convenient future with Sparky and through partnerships including this important step with OpenAI,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a statement. 

The large, yellow, round and smiley “Sparky” feature was designed for a more personalized and conversational shopping experience.

Within the ChatGPT interface, users can ask questions about products, request recommendations and add items directly to their cart. The AI learns from past interactions and previous orders to tailor its advice to customer needs. 

This new move toward an AI-driven tool will turn shopping from “a reactive experience into a proactive one — what Walmart calls agentic commerce,” the company said in a statement. 

Walmart’s use of AI through “Sparky” in its new “instant checkout” feature represents a major shift for the company beyond traditional methods used in online shopping. 

By embracing the AI wave early, Walmart is setting a new standard for how future businesses engage with their customers. 

“The future of retail isn’t about replacing human connection with machines, it’s about using AI to remove friction and make everyday moments easier, smarter and more delightful,” Walmart said.