Generative AI is becoming increasingly popular with several companies, especially since it can make operations more streamlined. Now that Walmart seems to be looking into innovative ways to improve its service, the company has placed its tension into AI as well.
Walmart's Integration of AI
The retail giant is teaming up with a company that is among the leading companies whose products use generative AI. With Walmart's partnership with Microsoft, the retailer has introduced new ways customers can shop using AI.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that the innovative addition will improve shopping aspects like suggestions for future purchases and the study of shopper behavior. Admittedly the new features do sound exciting, but only if the company does it properly.
One of the AI functions that Walmart intends to add soon is a search feature where users are not limited to specifics. Instead of searching for "turkey" and "cranberry sauce," they can instead look for items that fall under Thanksgiving celebrations
There's also the "Walmart InHome Replenishment," which will also utilize AI technology to predict which items are needed by the customer for their next grocery shopping trip. It will be part of Walmart's "InHome" program, as per Engadget.
Lastly, Walmart announced the "Shop with Friends" feature, which can be used by shoppers to share virtual outfits with others using AR technology. There's not much to know about the tech yet, but this could be developed further if Walmart's other AI features run flawlessly.
Naturally, with the company's partnership with Microsoft, it will be using the large language models that the Windows developer has to offer. Specifically, it will be a combination of Walmart's proprietary technology along with Microsoft's Azure OpenAI service.
Walmart's Drone Delivery Service
AI is not the only innovation Walmart is tapping into. Just when you think that an AI experience in grocery or clothes shopping seems like something from a futuristic movie, the retailer also announces that there will soon be drone deliveries that can reach millions.
In its partnership with Wing and Zipline, Walmart could soon be delivering items to 1.8 million Texas households. This is in continuation to its drone delivery program in Arkansas back in 2021, collaborating with companies like Zipline and DroneUp, as per The Verge.
Of course, it's expected that the drone delivery service will have some limitations since they're too small to carry several bags of groceries and other items. Only smaller products can be delivered like a carton of eggs or medicine.
It's the best option if you need something specific fast, as it only takes up to 30 minutes before the item arrives at your doorstep. Some customers who live near the locations can even get the items in just ten minutes.
This is just a start, and anyone tracking the progress of airborne devices and vehicles can say that within the decade, there could be bigger drones or eVTOLs that can fulfill bigger grocery deliveries, as well as better AI features that support shopping experiences.
