July 25, 2025
5 min read
Libby Hargreaves
Walmart deploys four AI agents to revolutionize shopping, staffing, supply chain, and customer support with smarter, faster interactions.
Will Walmart's AI Agents Revolutionise Retail?
Four new AI agents are set to transform how Walmart manages shopping, staffing, supply, and customer support, enhancing efficiency and experience one smart interaction at a time. Walmart is rolling out a new layer of intelligence across its business by introducing four AI âsuper agentsâ designed to streamline the shopping experience for customers, assist employees, support suppliers, and aid developers. These AI systems will become the primary interface for interacting with Walmartâs digital and operational tools, replacing older, fragmented systems. These agents are based on "agentic AI," which refers to systems capable of making decisions, planning actions, and completing multi-step tasks autonomously without constant human input. While Walmart has not disclosed the exact impact on jobs, executives suggest AI could also create new roles within the company.From Distribution to Delivery
By 5:00 AM in Palestine, Texas, Walmartâs advanced distribution center is already operational. AI-powered systems detect issues before humans can, with Automated Defect Detection Systems scanning millions of packages for damage or incorrect barcodes and flagging problems instantly. Once packages are cleared, AI-controlled robots optimize how shipments are stacked and loaded to maximize space and efficiency. Chance, an automation equipment operator, remarks on the shift in his role: âIt used to be 85% physical. Now itâs 85% mental.â By 7:30 AM in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, AI maps delivery routes for Walmartâs private truck fleet. These smart dispatch systems consider driver schedules, cold storage needs, weather, and real-time traffic to optimize routes. Janis, a Private Fleet driver, appreciates the system: âThe truckâs loaded right. The routeâs smart. And Iâm getting where I need to go safely on time, every time.â On return trips, AI arranges smart pickups nearby to avoid empty journeys, increasing efficiency.Smarter Shops
At 10:00 AM in Somerset, Kentucky, Walmartâs in-store AI, known as the âStore Twin,â enhances routine maintenance. Instead of waiting for equipment failures, machine learning predicts which fridges or freezers might break down, allowing technicians like Troy to intervene days early and prevent issues. In Cypress, Texas, staff use RFID and augmented reality tools to track inventory down to the shelf. Store Lead Juan can locate products in seconds, even if stored away. âItâs like X-ray vision,â he says. People Lead Natalie manages a multilingual team of over 300 associates. Walmartâs Real-Time Translator helps her overcome language barriers instantly, enabling clear communication and support. âWith the translator, I can answer questions, explain tasks, solve problems, and help associates feel truly seen and supported,â she explains.Checkout Without the Wait
By 4:30 PM in Bentonville, Arkansas, customer service is transformed. When customers receive wrong items or need help but cannot access the app, Walmartâs GenAI Customer Support Assistant intervenes first. It retrieves account details, recent orders, and identifies likely issues before a human agent answers. CES Customer Flow then initiates workflows to resolve problems, freeing support staff like Kalin to focus on personal assistance rather than system navigation. Kalin says, âItâs not just faster. Itâs kinder. The system handles the background stuff, so I can be fully present for the person on the line.â By 8:00 PM in Salt Lake City, the customer journey completes. When a shopper adds items like cereal, toilet paper, and yogurt to their basket, Walmartâs Dynamic Delivery algorithm calculates the fastest delivery route based on traffic, item location, and order complexity. The shopper selects âExpress Delivery,â and before closing the app, a driver is already en route. Seventeen minutes later, the order arrives at their doorstep. Whether optimizing logistics, preventing equipment failures, bridging language gaps, or delivering groceries in under 20 minutes, Walmartâs AI agents are actively reshaping retail operations today.Originally published at Supply Chain Digital on July 25, 2025.