Tech meant to help with workload, language barriers, inventory management
Walmart has introduced a new suite of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for its workforce, designed to “elevate their roles and experience.”
Available through the Walmart associate app, the tools aim to eliminate friction, simplify tasks, and make work more efficient, intuitive, and rewarding, according to the retail corporation. These tools are accessible to roughly 1.5 million store associates across the United States.
“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,” says Greg Cathey, senior vice president, Transformation & Innovation. “When you put intuitive, accessible technology into the hands of millions of associates, the impact isn’t incremental — it’s transformational.”
Task management, language barriers and more
One of the newly deployed tools is an AI-driven task management system that helps store managers and team leads prioritise workloads more efficiently. Initially rolled out for overnight stocking shifts, the technology has already cut shift planning time from 90 minutes to 30. Walmart is piloting the system for other shifts in select stores.
Walmart is also addressing language barriers among its workforce with a real-time translation tool available in 44 languages. The feature enables both text-to-text and speech-to-speech conversations between associates and customers and incorporates Walmart-specific terminology for greater accuracy.
The company is enhancing its existing conversational AI tool, used weekly by more than 900,000 associates, with generative AI. The upgrade will allow the platform to convert complex operational procedures into step-by-step instructions, assisting employees with tasks such as processing returns without receipts.
In the apparel department, Walmart is combining RFID technology with augmented reality through its VizPick tool to improve inventory management. The system visually guides associates to apparel items that need restocking, making the process faster and more accurate. Currently in the trial phase, the tool is expected to roll out more widely.
All AI solutions are powered by Element, Walmart’s proprietary machine learning platform, which supports rapid deployment and enforces strong data governance and security protocols. The company has also introduced MyAssistant, an AI-based tool for corporate employees, and an AI assistant for merchants.
Canadian employers appear to be showing increased interest in conducting job interviews using AI technology, according to a previous CBC report.
In-house versus external AI systems
In a previous report, Financial Times notes that Walmart prefers staff to use its in-house AI systems but does not prohibit workers from using external platforms, provided they avoid including any private or proprietary information in their prompts.
However, the company has installed systems to monitor AI requests submitted through corporate devices. Members of the security team will intercept unacceptable activity and “engage with that associate in real-time,” says Jerry Geisler, chief information security officer at Walmart, in the report released in December 2024.
Many workers enter sensitive company information into public AI platforms, potentially exposing their employers to harm, according to a previous KPMG report.
