Walmart is planning to equip store employees with a new suite of AI tools to eliminate friction, simplify actions and make work more efficient, intuitive and rewarding.
“AI is a key enabler in improving how we work, and we believe its full potential is unlocked only when paired with the strengths of our people,” said Greg Cathey, SVP of transformation and innovation.
“When you put intuitive, accessible technology into the hands of millions of associates, the impact isn’t incremental – it’s transformational.”
Store associates, who once navigated a complex, tool-based environment, are experiencing streamlined, more intuitive workflows thanks to an AI tool that intelligently understands, prioritizes and recommends tasks.
Initially available for overnight stocking, this AI-directed workflow tool helps associates have clear guidance on where to focus their efforts.
Based on early results, team leads and store managers estimate that the tool has reduced the time they spend planning shifts – from 90 to 30 minutes. The tool is in pilot for other shifts in select locations.
AI-powered translation tool helps eliminate language barriers
Walmart has created a real-time translation feature, available in 44 languages, to facilitate multi-lingual conversations among employees and customers.
The tool enables conversations in both text-to-text and speech-to-speech formats and is enhanced with Walmart-specific knowledge. For example, if the customer asked for something more specific – like “Where’s Great Value orange juice?” – the tool would recognize “Great Value” as a Walmart house brand and keep it properly translated or referenced.
Performance is enhanced through iterative feedback loops, ensuring reliable and contextually appropriate translations. Looking ahead, Walmart plans to add more languages and launch it internationally.
Conversational AI tool gets upgraded with GenAI
For the past five years, Walmart employees have used conversational AI to answer questions like, “What aisle is hand soap located in?” or “What’s my schedule for tomorrow?”
A major upgrade to that platform, set to launch in the coming months, leverages GenAI to turn lengthy process guides into clear, step-by-step instructions, giving associates support to questions such as, “How can I process a return without a receipt?”
With more than 900,000 weekly users and more than 3 million queries per day, Walmart’s conversational AI has become an essential resource for associates.
Augmented reality and RFID transform apparel floors
In addition to AI, Walmart also continues to empower associates with augmented reality (AR). Apparel has long been one of the most challenging categories to manage in retail – high volume, fast turns and constant movement make inventory accuracy a challenge.
To address this, Walmart is rolling out a smart pairing of RFID technology with its AR tool, VizPick, which has helped associates easily find merchandise to stock on the sales floor and reduce backroom inventory management time since 2021.
Currently tested in select stores, with plans to expand in the future, the enhanced tool enables associates to quickly scan racks, with the AR tool visually guiding them to the apparel items that need to be moved to the sales floor – transforming a time-consuming manual process into a faster, more precise workflow.
Transforming work, powered by Element
This announcement is the latest among workforce AI tools the company has developed, including MyAssistant, Walmart’s AI-powered creative partner for corporate associates, and an AI assistant for merchants.
All Walmart’s AI tools are powered by its proprietary machine learning platform, Element, which enables the company to deploy AI at scale and prioritizes its guiding principles, including data governance and security.
Over the past several years, Walmart has invested in pay and benefits, expanded training and development programs and introduced new pathways to career growth. Technology is a piece of that equation, enabling employees to focus more on the customer and feel more connected and confident at work.
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