Blackstone Taps Walmart's Former AI Leader to Drive Innovation and Growth Across Portfolio Companies
• Blackstone hired Prakhar Mehrotra, former VP of Applied AI at Walmart, to lead integration of AI across its portfolio companies • Mehrotra managed a 400+ person data science team at Walmart, working on AI for merchandising, pricing, inventory • He helped Walmart save money on trucking routes with AI and devised a generative AI strategy • Blackstone sees AI as able to drive innovation, efficiency and growth across sectors but lacks talent to harness it • PE firms are competing intensely for AI talent, offering packages up to $2M, to boost growth and exits of portfolio companies