How Walmart is using AI to change how you shop forever

How generative AI enhances Walmart’s search and review features

Walmart is also using generative AI to improve its search capabilities on its website and app. Generative AI can help Walmart understand the intent and context of a customer’s search and provide more accurate and relevant results. For example, if a customer searches for the “best laptop for gaming,” the generative AI can rank the products based on their features, reviews, and ratings that are related to gaming performance.

The retailer is also using generative AI to help customers prioritize product features and show review summaries. For example, if you are looking for a smart TV, the generative AI can ask a customer what features are most important, such as screen size, resolution, sound quality, or streaming services.

Based on the customer’s response, the generative AI can filter and sort the products accordingly. The generative AI can also generate a summary of the most common and relevant reviews for each product, highlighting the pros and cons.

Walmart’s voice-assisted shopping tool

If you want to shop online without using your hands, you might be interested in Walmart’s new voice-assisted shopping tool. This tool uses generative AI to talk to you and help you with complex purchases that involve multiple steps or choices.

For example, if you want to buy groceries online, you can just tell the tool what you need, and it will add the items to your cart, check their availability, select a time slot for pickup or delivery, and confirm your order.

All you need to do is use your voice and follow the instructions. The tool is designed to understand your intent and context and generate appropriate responses and actions.

Walmart is testing this tool on its website and app and hopes to make it available soon.

Walmart’s AI lab

Walmart also has a research and development center inside one of its stores that tests and deploys AI solutions for real-world scenarios. The lab uses sensors, cameras, and machine learning to monitor store conditions, optimize product placement, and improve customer service.

Why Walmart is using generative AI

Walmart is using generative AI to gain a competitive edge in the retail industry. By using generative AI, Walmart can offer its customers more convenience, variety, and personalization. It can also reduce its costs and increase its efficiency.

Walmart is not relying on a single provider of generative AI technology. Instead, it is exploring all options and designing its systems to be flexible and adaptable. As Cheryl Ainoa, Walmart’s executive vice president of global technology, said: “We believe in being Switzerland.”

Walmart has been experimenting with chatbots since 2019 and launched them widely last year. However, those chatbots were more focused on simple transactions. With generative AI, Walmart aims to create more complex and engaging interactions with its customers.