Walmart equips store associates with mobile AI tools
Walmart continues rolling out artificial intelligence solutions across its operations.
The discount giant is providing a new suite of AI tools to store employees that can be accessed via its associate app. The tools aim to eliminate friction, simplify actions and make work more efficient, intuitive and rewarding, according to the company.
Initially available for overnight stocking, this AI-directed workflow tool ensures that employees have clear guidance on where to focus their efforts. Based on early results, Walmart says its team leads and store managers estimate that the AI solution has reduced the time team leads spend planning shifts from 90 to 30 minutes. The suite is now being piloted for other shifts in select locations.
Other AI features Walmart is rolling out to its employees include the following.
Conversational AI
For the past five years, Walmart associates have used conversational AI to answer questions like, "What aisle is hand soap located in?" or "What’s my schedule for tomorrow?" An upgrade to that platform set to launch in the coming months will leverage generative AI to turn process guides into clear, step-by-step instructions, giving associates support to questions such as, "How can I process a return without a receipt?"
[READ MORE: Walmart expands employee app rollout, adds safety features]
Augmented reality and RFID
In addition to AI, Walmart also continues to provide associates with augmented reality capabilities. The retailer is now rolling out a pairing of RFID technology with its VizPick AR tool released in 2021 that helps associates find merchandise to stock on the sales floor and reduce backroom inventory management time.
Currently tested in select stores with plans to expand in the future, the enhanced tool enables associates to scan racks and have the AR tool visually guide them to the apparel items that need to be moved to the sales floor.
Real-time translation
Available in 44 languages, Walmart’s AI-based translation tool enables conversations in both text-to-text and speech-to-speech formats and is enabled with Walmart-specific knowledge. For example, if a customer asked for something specific like “Great Value orange juice,” the solution would recognize "Great Value" as a Walmart house brand and keep it properly translated or referenced.
Looking ahead, Walmart plans to add more languages to its real-time translation solution and launch it internationally.
All Walmart’s AI tools are based on its Element proprietary machine learning platform.
“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, senior VP, transformation & innovation, Walmart. "When you put intuitive, accessible technology into the hands of millions of associates, the impact isn’t incremental — it’s transformational."
Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart operates 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.
