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>>Walmart teams up with Google to embed the Gemini AI assistant for a smoother shopping experience.

Walmart teams up with Google to embed the Gemini AI assistant for a smoother shopping experience.

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about 6 hours ago

Walmart‑Google AI Partnership

Walmart will soon let shoppers use Google’s Gemini AI assistant to locate and buy items from Walmart and Sam’s Club. The joint launch was announced at the NRF Big Show, with new CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on stage. The service will debut in the United States before rolling out internationally. Details on the rollout date and financial terms were not disclosed.

AI Integration in Walmart’s Retail Strategy

Walmart already uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Instant Checkout and runs its own in‑app assistant, Sparky. Executives say AI shifts the purchase journey earlier, helping customers find and acquire products faster. The company views AI‑driven commerce as the next evolution in retail and aims to close the gap between desire and fulfillment. Furner, who assumes the CEO role on Feb 1, expects AI to reshape every job at the retailer.

Industry‑wide Move Toward Proprietary AI Agents

Google introduced Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience, a toolkit that lets brands build their own shopping assistants. By hosting products inside their own AI agents, retailers retain control over presentation, cross‑selling, and advertising revenue. Competitors such as OpenAI and Microsoft have launched similar checkout features in ChatGPT and Copilot. Analysts note a broader shift toward retailer‑owned AI capabilities rather than reliance on third‑party platforms.

Drone Delivery Expansion

Walmart will add drone delivery to 150 more stores, targeting more than 270 locations by the end of 2027. The program, run with Alphabet’s Wing, aims to serve over 40 million shoppers, a rise from the current two‑million. Drones are promoted for rapid delivery of small orders, complementing the company’s broader fulfillment strategy. Regulatory, noise, and weather challenges remain but the rollout reflects growing interest in aerial logistics.