On January 9, local time, global retail giant Walmart released two latest artificial intelligence (AI) tools at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, as well as a series of other features to enhance the shopping experience of shoppers。

Wal-Mart "AI Stars" Gather at CES

Two GenAI Tools Amazing Four

Walmart unveiled its latest Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) search tool, which enables shoppers to search for products by specific use cases by combining Microsoft's AI models with Walmart's shopper data.。For example, users can search for "football party" and will get a list of products such as "chips, chicken wings, drinks and widescreen TV" instead of searching by brand or product name。

The tool is built on a series of large language models such as Microsoft's "Azure OpenAI," which released a test version last November, and now the feature is available for iOS users, and will be available to Walmart website and Android users later this year.。

In addition, the "Walmart InHome Replenishment System" also debuted at the show, a tool that ensures that users who subscribe to the "Walmart InHome Delivery Service" quickly add frequently used items to their shopping carts instead of having to search them one by one, simplifying the shopping process.。

"Shopping with friends" AR platform

"Shop with Friends" is an augmented reality (AR) shopping tool launched by Wal-Mart at CES 2024. It combines the AI virtual try-on technology and social functions launched by Wal-Mart last year, so as to enable consumers to share virtual clothing with friends and get their feedback, so as to achieve the purpose of "shopping together."。

Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon believes that the AR platform is a representative product of "adaptive retail," bringing personalized and flexible shopping experience to consumers。

Suresh Kumar, Walmart's global chief technology officer and chief development officer, said: "Retail is not just e-commerce or in-store retail, but a single, unified retail experience that seamlessly integrates the best aspects of all channels.。For Walmart, adaptive retailing is rooted in a clear focus on 'people. "。"

"My Assistant" Empowered Staff

Last year, Walmart introduced an in-house GenAI tool called "My Assistant" to 50,000 campus employees in the United States.。At CES 2024, the company announced that it expects to roll out the technology to about 25,000 employees in 11 countries this year and will make local language versions available for these markets, a move that will expand the tool's user base by 50%。

"My Assistant" is a service supported by AI and computer vision, and employees will no longer need to verify shoppers' receipts, reducing the burden of work and shopping for employees and consumers.。

The technology is currently being piloted at Wal-Mart's Sam's Club stores and is expected to rapidly expand to nearly 600 clubs by the end of the year.。

Drone Delivery Service

In addition to AI and software, Walmart wants to expand its technology footprint in the real world。

Right now, the company is expanding its drone delivery to 1.8 million homes in Dallas-Fort Worth (the nation's fourth-largest metropolitan area), covering about 75 percent of the region;。

It is understood that the service is powered by Wing and Zipline, and the delivery time can be less than 30 minutes。Of the 120,000 items in the Wal-Mart Super Center, 75% can meet the size and weight requirements for drone delivery。To date, Walmart has completed more than 20,000 drone deliveries during the two-year trial.。

Walmart & Microsoft Executive Message

During the CES 2024 keynote, Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon and other Walmart executives shared details of their company's use of augmented reality (AR), drones, GenAI and other technologies.。

There is no doubt that AI technology can improve the shopping experience of customers。But despite this, McMillon acknowledged that AI also means some jobs will be eliminated.。

On the issue of AI, McMillon stressed that the company will not prioritize the application of the technology while ignoring the potential impact, and that "making technology work for people" is one of Walmart's basic principles.。

He said: "Some positions may disappear, some roles may change.。We are also investing and designing new roles to transition to today's smart future with our employees.。"

In the CES 2024 keynote, McMillon also invited Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to the stage, Nadella widely talked about the breakthroughs brought by GenAI, including in coding, productivity applications, health care, education and other fields, but also prompted people to pay special attention to the unintended consequences of this technology。"

Conclusion

Online business is Walmart's main growth engine。Last year, consumer spending was more cautious against the backdrop of high U.S. interest rates and declining household savings。But at the time, Walmart's overall sales were still rising, thanks to the company's investment in warehouse automation and improvements to its website and apps.。

Walmart has always attached great importance to the development of its online business, which has always been superior to other large retailers.。The release of many AI tools are designed to enhance the user's shopping experience, and through AI technology to provide customers with more personalized service。

Walmart said these innovations are just part of its ongoing efforts to meet changing consumer needs and maintain its leading position in the retail industry.。