July 25, 2025
5 min read
supermarketnews.com
Walmart unveils a new AI ‘super agent’ framework and appoints Instacart veteran Daniel Danker as EVP of AI acceleration and product.
Walmart unveils ‘super agent’ framework for AI tools
Walmart is rolling out a new framework for its artificial intelligence tools consisting of four “super agents” that will act as access points for its customers, employees, and outside partners. Each super agent incorporates multiple AI agents, some of which have already been deployed to serve specific functions. In addition, Walmart announced two new executive vice president positions to oversee its AI platforms. Daniel Danker, formerly chief product officer and head of online grocery at Instacart, was named EVP of AI acceleration, product, and design. He will start on August 18 and report directly to Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon. Walmart is also seeking to fill a newly created EVP of AI platforms role reporting to Suresh Kumar, Walmart's global chief technology officer and chief development officer.The Four Super Agents
In a recent blog post, Suresh Kumar described the four super agents:- Sparky: Walmart’s customer shopping agent, already live in the Walmart app, designed to help customers find products and services quickly and intuitively. Future plans include AI features for reordering, customer support, and enhanced shopping experiences.
- Associate Super Agent: Enables employees to perform tasks such as scheduling parental leave and allows store managers to access specific sales data with minimal input.
- Marty: The partner agent designed to assist suppliers, sellers, and advertisers with onboarding, orders, and campaign management.
- Developer Super Agent: Aims to accelerate Walmart’s ability to test, build, and launch new innovations across the company. Kumar noted that while AI agents have been rapidly adopted by customers and employees, having multiple agents can become overwhelming. The super agent framework is intended to simplify this by consolidating agents into more visible, functional entities within Walmart’s ecosystem. Over the coming year, more specialized agents—such as those for human resources and advanced customer service—will be added. He also highlighted Walmart’s integration of AI with breakthrough technologies like drones and real-time digital twins of facilities to predict and prevent issues proactively. Additionally, AI combined with geospatial data and insights from Walmart’s Flipkart delivery service stake in India will enable dynamic delivery windows for 95% of households by the end of the year.
- Automated distribution centers use defect detection systems to flag issues like loose tape or barcode errors and AI pallet builders to optimize packing and shipping.
- Dispatcher systems plan truck driver routes based on availability, location, and hours, while load planners optimize truck efficiency and temperature control for perishables.
- Digital twins monitor real-time store equipment conditions, such as refrigerators, to identify potential problems before they occur.
- The Find with RFID product locator helps employees find items anywhere in the store.
- Real-time translation tools assist employees who speak different languages.
- A generative AI customer support assistant gathers relevant information automatically while customers wait for live service representatives.
- Dynamic delivery algorithms analyze traffic, order complexity, and historical data to calculate express delivery ETAs. Source: Supermarket News on July 24, 2025.
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