JAKARTA - Google and Walmart have officially entered into a strategic partnership to provide a more intuitive and practical artificial intelligence (AI) based shopping experience. Through this collaboration, Google Gemini users will be able to find and buy Walmart and Sam's Club products directly in the chat conversation, without having to leave the application.
The announcement of the cooperation was made at the National Retail Federation's Big Show, an annual retail conference held in New York. Although it has not revealed the official launch date or financial details of the deal, both companies have confirmed that this service will be available in the United States before being expanded to global markets.
This integration is built using the Universal Commerce Protocol, a system that allows Gemini to automatically display Walmart and Sam's Club products, both from physical stores and online platforms, when relevant to user requests. For example, when users ask about camping gear for spring, Gemini will immediately display a variety of related products from the Walmart inventory.
As the conversation continues, the product recommendations that appear will be more contextual and personal. Gemini not only serves as an information search assistant, but also a bridge that directs users to a seamless purchase process within the Walmart and Sam's Club ecosystems. In other words, users can find products, compare, and complete transactions without obstacles.
This shopping experience will be even more optimal when users link their accounts. Walmart says the AI system will be able to recommend complementary products based on previous shopping history, as well as display the benefits of Walmart+ and Sam's Club membership. Another advantage offered is the speed of delivery, where thousands of products can be delivered in less than three hours, some of which only take about 30 minutes.
This collaboration confirms Google's ambition to make Gemini more than just an AI conversation assistant, but also a practical tool in daily activities such as shopping. On the other hand, Walmart sees AI as a solution to improve the reliability, personalization, and efficiency of services for its customers.
Interestingly, this is not Walmart's first step in utilizing AI technology. In October, the retail giant also announced a partnership with OpenAI that allows customers to make purchases directly through ChatGPT. In addition, Walmart already has an internal chatbot called Sparky, a virtual assistant with a yellow smiley face that helps customers find products, summarize reviews, and provide important information quickly.
With the latest collaboration with Google Gemini, Walmart is further strengthening its position as a pioneer in integrating AI in the retail industry. If global expansion goes according to plan, this conversation-based shopping experience has the potential to change the way consumers interact with e-commerce platforms in the future.
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