If you’ve been wondering how Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, plans to stay ahead in the fast-changing world of retail, look no further than its ambitious approach to artificial intelligence. At the recent Transform 2025 event, Walmart made it clear: AI isn’t just a trendy add-on for them—it’s at the heart of the future they’re building.
Desirée Gosby, Vice President of Emerging Technology, offered a closer look at how this retail juggernaut is weaving AI into every layer of its massive operations. With more than 255 million people shopping at its stores and online platforms every week, Walmart’s decisions on technology have ripple effects across the globe.
But here’s what sets Walmart apart: trust. Walmart keeps coming back to the idea that technology only works if people believe in it. Gosby explained that rather than chasing every new tech fad, the company is setting a deliberate pace. Their aim is to craft AI systems that are transparent, ethical, and responsible. In other words, the goal isn’t just cool features—it’s earning the trust of customers and employees, day after day. That means rigorous real-world testing and careful data practices, and making it clear, in plain language, just how AI is being used.
Rolling out AI at a company the size of Walmart is no small feat. They’re applying machine learning in everything from supply chain logistics—like getting that last-minute avocado delivery just right—to personalizing your shopping experience at checkout. By using AI to predict what shoppers need and keep inventory humming, Walmart is finding ways to make every part of its business quicker, more responsive, and more attuned to its customers.
One of the most interesting things about Walmart’s AI rollout is their modular, building-block approach. Their engineering teams are creating AI platforms that can be adapted for different tasks across different parts of the business. This lets them launch new tools quickly, keep up with regulations, and maintain the high quality customers expect. It’s a way to move fast—but not break things.
While a lot of companies talk about using AI to cut costs or even replace workers, Walmart’s angle is different. Gosby emphasized that their focus is on supporting employees, not sidelining them. AI-powered stocking tools and customer service bots are being designed to make life at Walmart more manageable and help staff do their jobs better—not to take away their roles. As Gosby put it, AI should “augment human capability, not eliminate it.”
The upshot? Walmart stands out for how it’s tackling the challenges of AI. Their attention to transparency and trust, commitment to efficiency, and belief in technology that empowers people, not just machines, set a high bar for the rest of the sector. With hundreds of millions of shoppers relying on them, Walmart’s AI efforts aren’t just experimental—they’re essential to where the entire industry is heading.
If you want to read more about Walmart’s enterprise AI blueprint and see the original coverage, visit VentureBeat.
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