Walmart unveiled two new artificial intelligence tools at the CES conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday to help shoppers quickly search for items and automate the process of reordering frequently used items. The world's largest retailer has launched a new GenAI search tool that combines Microsoft's artificial intelligence models with Walmart's shopper data to enable shoppers to search for items using specific use cases rather than brand names or items.
Shoppers will be able to search using terms like "football viewing party" or "help me plan a unicorn themed party for my daughter" and receive a curated list of products, rather than searching individually for chips, wings and balloons.
The company says the feature is currently only available for iOS users and will be rolled out to its website and Android app users later this year.
Demonstrating another use case for artificial intelligence, Walmart said it is developing a tool called "Walmart InHome Replenishment" to help shoppers using its subscription-based InHome delivery service quickly fill their online shopping carts with commonly ordered items.
Like car and gadget makers, retailers are scrambling to find consumer uses for generative artificial intelligence technology, which has taken the world by storm since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022.
Walmart rival Amazon.com Inc has deployed generative AI tools to help advertisers improve ad targeting and allow merchants to quickly create promotions. Volkswagen announced at the CES conference on Monday that it will apply ChatGPT to its cars.
On Tuesday, Walmart also announced the expansion of the use of its internal artificial intelligence tool "MyAssistant" among employees in 11 countries, and launched an artificial intelligence and computer vision service that eliminates the need for shoppers to have employees verify receipts at Sam's Club stores.
The technology, currently running on a pilot basis at 10 Sam's Club stores, uses a combination of cameras and artificial intelligence processing in store exit areas to capture images of shopping carts and verify payment for all items in the basket.
Walmart said it expects to quickly roll out the technology to nearly 600 stores by the end of the year after shoppers unanimously cited wait times at exits as a "pain point."