Walmart's CTO bets on generative AI amid changing shopping trends
- Walmart is investing in generative AI to adapt to changing consumer shopping habits.
- The initiative aims to create personalized online shopping experiences based on individual customer data.
- This strategic shift highlights the importance of technology in meeting modern consumer demands.
In October 2024, Walmart's U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Hari Vasudev, announced the company's strategic shift towards generative artificial intelligence to adapt to evolving consumer shopping behaviors. As shoppers increasingly seek personalized experiences, Walmart plans to implement predictive models and generative AI to tailor its online platform for individual customers. This initiative will consider past purchases, trending products, and seasonal factors to enhance user engagement. The company is leveraging a combination of in-house AI models and partnerships with tech giants like OpenAI and Google to achieve these goals. The move reflects a broader trend in retail, where companies are integrating advanced technologies to meet the demands of a more discerning consumer base, influenced by social media and immersive shopping experiences. As a result, Walmart aims to create a more curated and efficient shopping experience, potentially outperforming traditional human customer service in speed and personalization.