OpenAI launches ChatGPT Wallet to enable AI agent shopping

A second attempt at commerce

OpenAI is officially entering the AI shopping space with the launch of ChatGPT Wallet. This new tool is designed to let AI agents make and pay for online purchases for users who have a ChatGPT Pro subscription. The service is currently launching specifically for users in the United States.

This launch follows a previous attempt by OpenAI called Instant Checkout. The company decided to scrap that initial project because it lacked the necessary flexibility for complex shopping tasks. By rebuilding the system from scratch, OpenAI aims to create a more robust way for agents to navigate the web and complete transactions.

The move puts OpenAI in a competitive position with other major tech companies. Rivals like Anthropic, Meta, and xAI already have agent shopping features in place. Google and Perplexity also offer their own checkout tools, such as Google Pay and Instant Buy, to facilitate commerce.

How the wallet handles payments

The security of ChatGPT Wallet relies on a system of payment tokens rather than sharing raw credit card information. When a user adds a card, partners like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express generate a stand-in card number. This token acts as a unique identifier that allows the transaction to complete without exposing the user's actual card details to the merchant.

Users maintain control over their spending through a mandatory authorization step for every single purchase. Before a payment is finalized, the system displays the items, the total cost, and the specific card being used. The user must then provide a security check, such as a fingerprint or Face ID, to approve the transaction.

OpenAI notes that these security measures do not remove standard protections for the consumer. Users will still receive their usual card rewards and maintain the ability to file disputes with their banks. This structure is intended to balance the convenience of AI automation with the necessity of personal financial oversight.

The shopping flow for users

The purchase process begins when a customer describes a specific item or need to the AI. ChatGPT then searches the open web, various APIs, or specific merchant product feeds to find available options. The user reviews these results, compares the different choices, and selects the one they want to buy.

Once a selection is made, ChatGPT handles the checkout process through different methods. It can either use a browser to navigate a merchant's existing website or utilize a plugin. These plugins are designed to support structured actions, such as managing a shopping cart and moving toward the final payment screen.

This workflow is designed to be a fixed path from the initial search to the final confirmation. By mapping out these steps, OpenAI hopes to make the experience seamless for the user. The goal is to move away from manual navigation and toward a more conversational way of acquiring goods.

Overcoming technical barriers

One of the primary hurdles for AI shopping is that many websites block automated agents. These systems often identify AI activity as bots and reject the purchase for security reasons. To solve this, OpenAI is releasing a Commerce Partner Playbook to help businesses adjust their firewalls and provide better data.

The playbook provides instructions for merchants on how to work with payment providers like Stripe, Adyen, and Riskified. By following these guidelines, merchants can ensure that agent-driven purchases are processed correctly. This cooperation is necessary for the technology to function at scale across different online stores.

By providing these tools to merchants, OpenAI is trying to build an infrastructure that supports its new wallet. This involves making it easier for product data to be shared with AI agents. It also ensures that the payment flow remains stable even when the AI is interacting with complex web elements.

Future goals for autonomy

While the current version requires a manual approval for every purchase, OpenAI has larger plans for the future. They intend to eventually let users hand off purchases to their agents entirely. This would allow the AI to make decisions autonomously within specific boundaries set by the user.

Users will be able to define these boundaries by setting spending limits and choosing specific product categories. They could also set timeframes for when the agent is allowed to make purchases. This would move the technology from a