Walmart Expands AI in the Workplace

The company has released an artificial intelligence assistant for employees to use.

September 06, 2023

Walmart announced a generative artificial intelligence tool that corporate employees will be able to use to assist with daily tasks, as reported by Business Insider. The company’s 50,000 employees will be able to use the “My Assistant” feature to summarize documents and speed up creating and drafting projects.

Walmart’s executive vice president and chief people officer, Donna Morris, said in a blog post, “My Assistant has the potential to change how our associates work and solve problems.”

“We believe the key to unlocking transformation lies in the creativity and innovation of our associates,” said Morris. “Ideally, this technology will free them from monotonous, repetitive tasks, allowing more time and focus for improving the customer/member experience.”

The My Assistant tool is housed within the company’s new app, which contains all information Walmart employees need while working as an associate. Morris further explained that the company is working towards using the AI tool for new associate orientation and to help associates better understand and choose their benefits during annual enrollment.

Walmart is also using AI to help locate items; the self-checkout machines have AI-powered cameras to detect and prevent theft; and the customer service branch has added “Conversational AI” to its chatbots and shopping features which can recommend products based on past customer orders.

Generative AI has been impacting the workplace for a while and increasingly been in the news as retailers learn how to incorporate the technology and reap the benefits. In May, CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, automated voice ordering with AI.

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