At Walmart, everything we do, including technology, begins and ends with the customer. Today we’d like to share with you some experiences that leverage the latest technology we’ve recently launched or are testing to make your shopping experience easier and more convenient.
From search terms to online shopping powered by GenAI
American families spend a staggering six hours a week planning and shopping, and while families routinely buy household items online, the planning and shopping process continues to be tedious and time-consuming. , full of last-minute surprises.
With Generative AI (GenAI), a type of artificial intelligence that can generate text, images, and other media from learned data, we’re helping Walmart customers spend less time scrolling, tapping, and searching and more time doing the things they love. I believe that you can spend a lot of time. . That’s why we’re experimenting with a variety of GenAI-powered experiences that have the potential to elevate our customer relationships from a shopping destination to a partner in achieving a broader mission.
First, we leverage GenAI to enhance the search experience, understand deeper context, and help customers search based on specific use cases, generating more relevant results and saving time. Masu. For example, customers can search for “unicorn themed toddler birthday party” instead of searching for plates, banners, party favors, etc. multiple times individually.
It also allows GenAI to assist customers with complex purchases, such as selecting an age-appropriate cell phone that is compatible with their current wireless provider.
We are also exploring how GenAI can support decision-making by creating tools that highlight priority product features and condense reviews into concise summaries. This allows customers to make informed and confident purchasing decisions while saving even more time.
From text message shopping to voice shopping
Building on the success of Text to Shop, which launched last year, we’re testing a voice experience for the Walmart mobile app that lets customers shop hands-free on Walmart.com. Potential features we’re testing include allowing customers to shop using voice commands, having back-and-forth conversations with an assistant, booking pickup and delivery times, and more.
From AR shopping to AR + GenAI shopping
Investments in AR tools for apparel and home are making purchases more satisfying. We see customers who use this tool becoming more and more satisfied with their purchases. We are now taking these experiences a step further and experimenting with new tools that combine the power of GenAI and AR to provide even more design assistance.
The tool, which is in the early stages of development, allows customers to simply share their budget, theme, and other preferences to receive GenAI-powered personalized assistance in designing their rooms.
From physical commerce to virtual commerce
We are also exploring different experiences within virtual worlds, recognizing that customers are spending more and more time in these spaces. One such experiment is a new form of commerce that allows customers to purchase physical items natively and in context within a virtual environment. We just launched this feature in-game called House Flip and are actively looking for ways to connect virtual commerce with stores and vice versa.
We’re always looking for ways to innovate and use new technology to make shopping easier and meet the needs of our customers. We will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. And we will always keep our customers at the center.