Walmart Equips Store Workers with AI-Enabled Tools for Convenience
Walmart Embraces AI to Enhance Store Operations and Multi-lingual Communication
Retail giant Walmart is revolutionizing its operations with a new suite of AI tools designed to boost productivity and efficiency for its associates worldwide. With over 2.1 million employees serving approximately 270 million customers weekly across more than 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries, Walmart is leveraging AI to streamline tasks and improve customer service.
One of the key components of Walmart's AI strategy is a real-time translation feature, available in 44 languages, to facilitate multi-lingual conversations between associates and customers. This initiative aims to foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all customers.
The AI tools are accessible through Walmart's associate app, and they centre around a new companywide AI framework featuring four "super agents" powered by agentic AI. One of these is a store-centric associate super agent, designed to support store associates by automating routine and complex tasks. This associate agent includes subagents such as one for assisting with benefits-related questions and another that provides workforce data insights to store leaders, streamlining operations and decision-making.
Walmart's AI initiative is not about replacing jobs but reducing employee workload and improving task efficiency. The system allows teams to quickly build and share "nano agents," small specialized AI tools, boosting agility in solving store-level challenges. Other improvements driven by AI include cutting customer support resolution times by up to 40%, reducing shift planning time from 90 to 30 minutes for team leads, and using digital twin technology to track store equipment, which has decreased emergency maintenance by 30%.
To further enhance the AI capabilities, Walmart has upgraded its conversational AI with the power of GenAI. This upgrade enables associates to receive clear, step-by-step instructions when they have questions, making complex processes more accessible. In March, Walmart rolled out a GenAI-powered assistant named Wally, which helps merchants streamline tasks by automating root cause identification, data entry and analysis, how-to support, and advanced calculations.
Greg Cathey, SVP of transformation & innovation at Walmart, stated that AI is a key enabler in improving work and its potential is unlocked when paired with human strengths. He believes that putting intuitive, accessible technology into the hands of millions of associates is transformational.
Initially, the AI-driven task management tool was available for overnight stocking and is now being piloted for other shifts at select Walmart locations. As Walmart continues to implement AI tools through its associate app, it is simplifying tasks, making work more efficient, and reducing friction, ultimately enhancing overall store productivity and efficiency.
In recognition of its significant impact in the retail industry, Walmart U.S. is No. 1 on Progressive Grocer's 2025 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America. PG also named the company among its Retailers of the Century. These accolades underscore Walmart's commitment to innovation and its ongoing efforts to lead the way in retail technology.
- Walmart's AI-driven strategy extends beyond retail, as it also aims to penetrate the finance sector, potentially revolutionizing transactions and customer service for their banking division.
- Artificial Intelligence has become a significant player in various business sectors, and Walmart's technological advancements show promise for the future of both retail and finance industries.
- To further solidify their presence in the tech sector, Walmart is investing in the development of artificial-intelligence-powered solutions, aiming to establish themselves as industry leaders in AI applications.
