Walmart is making waves with its latest embrace of artificial intelligence technology.
During a recent financial earnings call, CEO Doug McMillon revealed that the company is leveraging generative AI to dramatically boost productivity across various aspects of its business.
One of the most impressive feats is the rapid updating of Walmart’s massive product catalog. Using AI, the company can now process a staggering 850 million product entries 100 times faster than traditional human-led methods.
Walmart CEO on using AI:
— The Transcript (@TheTranscript_) August 15, 2024
"We've used multiple LLMs to accurately create or improve over 850,000,000 pieces of data in the catalog. Without the use of generative AI, this work would have required nearly 100X the current headcount to complete in the same amount of time"$WMT pic.twitter.com/PtovG5hQ0p
This advancement promises to keep Walmart’s inventory information more accurate and up-to-date than ever before.
But the AI integration doesn’t stop there. Walmart is also enhancing the customer experience with AI-powered search capabilities and a new shopping assistant on its app and website.
Shoppers can now receive personalized advice on product choices, such as recommendations for the best TV for watching sports.
This move by one of the world’s largest retailers highlights the growing trend of major corporations adopting AI to streamline operations and improve customer experiences.
While the potential benefits are clear, it also raises questions about the future of human roles in retail and other industries.
As Walmart pushes forward with its AI initiatives, consumers and employees alike will be watching closely to see how this technological shift shapes the future of shopping and employment in the retail sector.