Walmart Gives Consumers (and Staff) SuperAgents

The WSJ reported that Walmart is simplifying its AI Agent lineup (see Walmart’s blog post). 

Here is why I think this is important: 

For decades, brands have exposed their backend systems to consumers by bolting on features to their websites by adding navigation panes. The result has been websites that “do all things for all people” … if you can find it. These navigation schemes have forced consumers to sequence their own steps when conducting research, making purchases, seeking product information, or returning products. Most of the cognitive load rests on the consumer. 

Itsy bitsy AI agents would just do the same again - force consumers to discover, choose, and use small bits of incremental functionality to do a single task. 

If Walmart can pull off a single agent, consumers will lean into using it more. They’ll share more information about their preferences, prescriptions, and planned purchases. The flywheel of value will spiral upwards.