Artificial Intelligence

Chicago -- Telecommunications giant AT&T is setting up shop on Chicago's Magnificant Mile, opening a flagship on Sept. 1. The 10,000-sq.-ft. store, at 600 N. Michigan Ave., is designed to showcase what consumers can do with AT&T's products and to educate them about future wireless technologies and services.

Towson, Md.-based Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G).

The manufacturer describes the new product as “the world’s first motion-activated screwdriver.” It uses gyroscopic technology that allows users to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse.

The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control while screwdriving, the company said.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced a new search engine for Walmart.com. The new engine, named Polaris, was developed by a small team within @Wamart Labs,  the research and technology hub for innovation at Walmart. It uses semantic search technology to anticipate the intent of a shopper's search to deliver highly relevant results for them.  

Walmart is touting another e-commerce win by the smart people working at its Silicon Valley research and technology hub known as @WalmartLabs.

TORONTO — Supervalu has agreed to use LoyaltyOne's Precima customer-centric analytics solution, to develop a multi-dimensional customer segmentation, LoyaltyOne announced.

Precima's multi-dimensional segmentation analysis will use customer data to help Supervalue better understand its customers and classify them in a way that translates into actionable insights, the company said. Those insights drive improvements with a goal of being more responsive to customer needs.

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Kenexa, a provider of human resources software and consulting services for approximately $1.3 billion in cash.

The acquisition helps make the Armonk, N.Y., company more competitive with database maker Oracle Corp. and German business software maker SAP AG, said Rick Sherlund of Nomura Equity Research, Kenexa’s software is intended to help companies recruit and manage talent through online social networking, collaboration and consulting tools.

Many retailers have been slow to embrace technology in their broader operations, technology that has already changed the retail landscape forever – namely by empowering shoppers who are now more tech savvy than the retailers who are trying to catch up. What today’s retailers need to provide is what we at Manhattan Associates refer to as a “Zero Disappointment Experience.” In other words, ensuring that your brand delivers the same experience to shoppers regardless of their choice of engagement.

Waterloo, Ontario -- Axonify Inc. said Thursday that Toys ”R” Us Canada has selected Axonify’s next generation eLearning platform to deliver training content to its employees.

Axonify said it will assist Toys “R” Us Canada in integrating learning into the daily activities of its more than 5,000 associates, while providing a personalized experience that addresses a variety of generations, knowledge levels and learning styles.