Walmart’s President and CEO, Doug McMillon, presented the retail giant’s innovative technological advancements at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The showcase included the integration of augmented reality (AR), drones, generative AI, and various artificial intelligence technologies, all aimed at enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.
Among the new products announced were two AI-powered tools dedicated to managing product search and replenishment. Walmart also introduced a beta AR social commerce platform named “Shop with Friends.” McMillon emphasized the company’s commitment to incorporating AI in different aspects of its business, highlighting its applications within Sam’s Club and in apps used by store associates.
A notable introduction is the generative AI search feature for iOS, allowing customers to search for products based on use cases rather than specific product or brand names. This advanced search capability is designed to provide enhanced and intuitive results, comparable to Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE).
Walmart is piloting an AI-driven replenishment system, initially with Walmart InHome Replenishment. The system employs AI and existing replenishment expertise to create automated online shopping carts for customers, focusing on items they regularly order. These items are then delivered to customers’ homes through the InHome delivery service.
Additionally, a new AR shopping tool, “Shop with Friends,” enables customers to share virtual outfits created through AI-powered virtual try-on technology with friends. This tool blends Walmart’s AI-driven try-on tech with social features, offering an interactive and collaborative shopping experience.
CEO Doug McMillon coined these advancements as part of “adaptive retail,” a concept focusing on personalized and flexible retail experiences. The generative AI search feature is set to roll out on iOS devices initially, emphasizing a more user-friendly and contextual approach to product searches.
Walmart also outlined plans to implement AI and computer vision in Sam’s Club to streamline the process of receipt verification when exiting the store. The technology aims to eliminate the need for manual receipt checks by using computer vision to capture images of customers’ carts and AI to match cart items to sales.
Furthermore, Walmart’s generative AI tool for store associates, My Assistant, will expand to 11 countries outside the U.S. in 2024, supporting employees in their native languages.
While McMillon acknowledged that AI implementation might lead to job changes, he stressed Walmart’s commitment to using technology to serve people. The company aims to create new, more enjoyable roles for its associates, investing in their transition to a technologically-driven future.
During the keynote, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined McMillon on stage, highlighting the breakthroughs made possible by generative AI and emphasizing the importance of being mindful of both opportunities and unintended consequences in deploying new technology.
Outside the realm of AI, Walmart announced an expansion of its drone delivery service in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area, covering 1.8 million households, showcasing the company’s dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology for faster and more efficient deliveries.
