Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, is deploying artificial intelligence across its operations, impacting 1.5 million workers and 140 million weekly customers. With $681 billion in global revenue—$470 billion from the U.S.—the company operates 4,606 stores and is implementing six key initiatives to redefine retail.
What Sparked the Overhaul
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated that AI will change every job, as reported by CNBC on September 29, 2025. Facing competition from Amazon and rising demands for transparency, the retailer is pursuing a full-scale transformation. This shift addresses existential pressures in American retail, where stagnation risks obsolescence.
The Magnitude of Deployment
Walmart’s metrics underscore the scope: 1.5 million associates use AI tools simultaneously, serving 140 million shoppers each week. These figures, steady since 2017 per the FY2025 earnings report from February 2025, signal a shift from testing to enterprise-wide application. The initiative spans workforce productivity, supply chain, and customer experience.
Leadership Driving Change
CTO Suresh Kumar oversees the rollout, drawing on his enterprise software expertise. He aims to integrate shopping seamlessly into conversational platforms. Under his direction, the six initiatives are reshaping daily operations for employees, suppliers, and consumers.
Key Initiatives Transforming Operations
First, on June 25, 2025, Walmart launched an AI-powered app for 1.5 million U.S. associates, according to Process Excellence Network. The tool, dubbed a super agent, translates in 44 languages, tracks real-time inventory, and processes 3 million queries daily. McMillon described it as enabling workers to focus on higher-value tasks.
Second, by July 23, 2025, Walmart addressed marketplace fraud with an AI system that vets listings, detects counterfeits, and removes fraudulent sellers automatically, per Retail Dive. This protects legitimate vendors and enhances trust for millions of users.
Third, delivery coverage expanded to 95% of U.S. households within three hours by August 27, 2025, with some orders under 30 minutes and others under five, as noted by Supply Chain Dive. Store-fulfilled delivery sales rose 50% last summer.
Fourth, in September 2025, Walmart Plus members gained access to Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential, switchable every 90 days, for $98 annually, reported by AS.com. This bundles groceries with entertainment to rival Amazon Prime.
Fifth, starting October 1, 2025, Walmart will eliminate 41 food additives from private-label brands like Great Value and Better Goods by January 2027, per Reuters. The list includes synthetic dyes, preservatives, sweeteners, and fat substitutes. CEO John Furner noted customer demand for simpler ingredients, as cited in Forbes on October 1, 2025.
Sixth, on October 14, 2025, Walmart partnered with OpenAI for Instant Checkout inside ChatGPT, enabling recommendations and purchases without leaving the chat, according to CNN. Kumar emphasized easing shopping within the platform, from the Pioneers of AI podcast on December 2, 2025. Walmart leads U.S. retailers in this integration.
Implications and Challenges Ahead
These moves raise questions on privacy, as shopping data feeds into OpenAI models that predict needs. Job impacts may occur through attrition rather than layoffs, with McMillon telling the Wall Street Journal on September 26 that headcount could stay flat amid revenue growth. Small retailers face barriers matching AI-driven speed and personalization. Cleaner labels benefit natural ingredient suppliers, while dynamic pricing tests the Everyday Low Prices commitment. Rivals like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy must adapt to conversational commerce and transparency demands. Walmart’s strategy sets a new retail benchmark, determining which players thrive in an algorithm-driven market.
Sources
“Walmart CEO: ‘AI is literally going to change every job.’” CNBC, September 29, 2025.
“Walmart to remove synthetic dyes across all private-label food brands.” Reuters, October 1, 2025.
“Q4 FY25 Earnings Presentation.” Walmart Corporate, February 2025.
“Walmart unveils new AI-powered tools.” Process Excellence Network, June 25, 2025.
“Walmart, AI, and the future of shopping, with Walmart CTO Suresh Kumar.” Pioneers of AI podcast, December 2, 2025.