Walmart is launching a program called “My Assistant” that will provide its 50,000 non-store employees with access to a generative AI app. The app is trained on corporate information and can assist with tasks such as summarizing documents and creating new content. It is part of Walmart’s broader “Me@Campus” app and can be used on computers and smartphones. The app combines Walmart’s data with third-party large language models, although the specific AI technology being used was not disclosed. Walmart believes that the app will not only boost productivity but also free workers from repetitive tasks. The company acknowledges that generative AI has limitations, such as a lack of judgment and contextual understanding. The adoption of generative AI for business use is a topic of debate among CEOs and in boardrooms. Walmart has a history of leveraging technology to improve its processes, including providing smartphones to store workers. Walmart plans to expand the use of the app for various worker tasks, starting with orientation and potentially extending to customer interactions.
