Walmart Leverages AI to Evolve Retail Jobs, Not Replace Workers

Walmart is using AI and apps to help employees manage inventory, restock shelves faster, and answer customer questions. This has changed some retail jobs into "digital shopper" roles.

Walmart says AI tools have not reduced its workforce of 2.1 million retail workers globally. Some roles have evolved while new back-end roles were added.

US retail employment is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, though it's unclear if AI is improving retail jobs. Walmart recently reduced starting pay for some new hires.

AI tools like the employee question-answering app only work in English, which may limit usefulness for Walmart's diverse staff and customers.

Scaling the AI technologies across 5,000+ global stores is Walmart's biggest challenge. The company is working to improve models using worker feedback and data.