Walmart is pushing hard to use generative artificial intelligence to help customers save time by automatically restocking their refrigerators and more, CEO Doug McMillon said Tuesday at the CES technology conference.
Business Tuesday announcement three new AI-based technologies that reflect retailers’ increasing integration of AI tools into the shopping experience and could make in-store and online shopping feel more like a futuristic experience.
The announcements come as other major U.S. restaurants and retailers are investing in AI to improve customer and worker experiences, as well as boost their bottom lines. For example McDonald’s associated with Google to integrate AI technologies into its restaurants and plans to roll out new AI-based software to all customers and restaurants this year.
Fill my fridge, please
One of its new AI-powered features will study the shopping habits and shopping habits of Walmart+ members to restock their refrigerators with essentials before they run out of, say, milk.
Called “InHome Replenishment,” the service will create a personalized algorithm that replenishes customers’ essentials exactly when they need them, whether that’s every week or an odd number of days. It also adjusts over time, unlike a subscription which delivers goods according to an immutable monthly schedule, for example.
Grocery orders are automatically placed and delivered to customers’ homes, although customers can make changes to orders at any time.
Saving time for customers
Sam’s Club, Walmart’s warehouse club, is already using AI to let customers pay for physical goods through an app rather than having to stop and pay before leaving stores.
The company is also deploying AI to eliminate the step that requires customers to show their digital receipts at the door, saving them a few extra seconds.
The new exit technology, which allows customers to walk through a digital arcade with merchandise in hand, is currently operating in Dallas and will be rolled out nationwide by the end of the year, Walmart announced Tuesday.
Stores like Amazon Go already use technology that allows shoppers to walk out of a bodega with small items like snacks without stopping to pay.
Walmart is using AI to let customers walk out of stores with mattresses, TVs, and entire cabinets after they’ve already paid for them.
“Try with friends”
Another new digital shopping feature that the company says will save shoppers time and allow Walmart app users to create digital outfits that they can share with friends to solicit feedback before taking purchasing decisions.
Friends of buyers can interact with the outfits and select the ones they like the most.
McMillon said it will deploy AI technology to make life easier for the company’s more than 2 million associates, with the technology eliminating repetitive tasks that don’t require human judgment.
He acknowledged that AI would eliminate many tasks and even jobs, but said that overall, Walmart staff say the new roles it creates “are more enjoyable and more satisfying and also often translate by higher wages.
