Walmart taps OpenAI to build next-gen AI shopping solutions

Retail giant Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to build next-gen artificial intelligence (AI) shopping solutions that redefine customer experiences.

The collaboration will enable customers and members to complete purchases from Walmart directly within ChatGPT. This AI-first shopping process aims to shift the retail experience from reactive to proactive as it learns, plans, and predicts, helping customers anticipate their needs, according to the announcement.

The partnership builds on the multiple ways Walmart and Sam’s Club are already using AI such as enhancing product catalogs, improving customer care resolution times, and promoting AI literacy among associates.

Walmart’s AI strategy is renowned for balancing innovation, operational excellence (OPEX), and the build versus buy debate. It champions a bottom-up approach to innovation, empowering teams to develop solutions organically. Beyond technology, talent remains central to Walmart’s AI adoption – hiring the right people and placing them in optimal roles.

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Redefining shopping experiences with AI

Walmart customers and members will soon be able to shop through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout. This allows them to plan meals, restock essentials, or discover new products simply by chatting, with Walmart will taking care of the rest, stated a press release.

“For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses. That is about to change,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart Inc. “There is a native AI experience coming that is multi-media, personalized, and contextual. We are running towards that more enjoyable and convenient future with Sparky and through partnerships including this important step with OpenAI.”

OpenAI is excited to partner with Walmart to make everyday purchases a little simpler, added Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. “It’s just one way AI will help people every day under our work together.”

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Walmart “100-times more productive” using generative AI

Walmart is “100-times more productive” using generative AI with the technology helping the supermarket giant to complete a major transformation project using just 1 percent of the staff previously needed. That’s according to an earnings call from last year where Walmart bosses discussed its ambitious automation scheme.

Walmart has had significant success in leveraging data and large language models (LLMs) from others and building its own, said McMillon.

Generative AI has been a “great enabler” over the last few months, added John Furner, president and CEO, Walmart US. “It’s about 100-times more productive to use generative AI versus having people work through each product display page. The generative AI product that we’re using has helped us populate the attributes and the characteristics of hundreds of millions of items.”

Walmart promotes AI literacy

Walmart promotes AI literacy among associates, adopting ChatGPT Enterprise for teams, and is among the first to embrace OpenAI Certifications. The company’s “people-led, tech-powered” approach ensures AI supports human creativity and connection rather than replacing it.

Watch Walmart’s David Glick discuss rethinking OPEX in the age of AI

Image credit: Walmart

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