News

Walmart announces new generative AI-powered capabilities

Thursday 11 January 2024 14:07 CET | News

Walmart has announced new AI-powered tools to help shoppers quickly search for products and automate the process of re-ordering frequently ordered items. 

Per the announcement, the new capability is designed to understand the context of a customer’s query and generate personalised responses. Customers would be able to have a more interactive and conversational experience, get answers to specific questions, and receive personalised product suggestions.

Walmart has announced new AI-powered tools to help shoppers quickly search for products and automate the process of re-ordering frequently ordered items.

Using a combination of Walmart proprietary data and technology and large language models, including those available in Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, as well as retail-specific models built by Walmart, the new design serves up a curated list of the personalized items a shopper is looking for. 

According to the announcement, Walmart chose Azure OpenAI Service for its ability to access advanced AI models while backed by the enterprise-grade capabilities found in Microsoft Azure including security, compliance, and regional availability.  

Shoppers will be able to search using terms such as "a football watch party" or "help me plan a unicorn-themed party for my daughter," and receive a curated list of products, instead of individually searching for each item needed. 

The announcement stated that the feature, currently available to iOS users, will be rolled out to its website and Android app users later in 2024. 

Other recent updates from Walmart 

In December 2023, US-based payments network Affirm expanded its services with Walmart to bring its solutions to self-checkout kiosks at over 4,500 stores in the region. Following the announcement, Affirm would provide its transparent and flexible pay-over-time options to self-checkout kiosks, with eligible shoppers being able to make monthly payments when checking themselves out in-store for their purchases, including electronics, apparel, and toys, among others. 

In July 2023, Walmart chose Expedia Group to offer new benefits to Walmart+ members, including the ability to get Walmart Cash by booking vacations. As of this announcement, Walmart+ members can book getaways through WalmartPlusTravel.com and get Walmart Cash. Walmart+ members will receive 5% Walmart Cash on hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals, and activities bookings, 2% Walmart Cash on all flights, and a blended rate of Walmart Cash on vacation packages. 

Source: Link


Free Headlines in your E-mail

Every day we send out a free e-mail with the most important headlines of the last 24 hours.

Subscribe now

Keywords: generative AI, artificial intelligence, partnership, ecommerce, shopping
Categories: Payments & Commerce
Companies: Walmart
Countries: United States
This article is part of category

Payments & Commerce

Walmart

|
Discover all the Company news on Walmart and other articles related to Walmart in The Paypers News, Reports, and insights on the payments and fintech industry: