Walmart Hires Exec, Launches AI Agents Amid Expansion

Walmart has hired Daniel Danker, former Instacart Chief Product Officer, as executive vice president of AI acceleration, overseeing AI adoption, product management, and design while reporting to CEO Doug McMillon. As part of a broader AI push, Walmart has unveiled a suite of AI-powered 'super agents' for shoppers, employees, suppliers, and developers, aiming to make these agents the primary interface for AI companywide. One such agent, Sparky, is currently assisting customers in the Walmart app, with plans for expanded features like event planning and recipe suggestions. Walmart is targeting e-commerce to account for 50% of total sales within five years, leveraging AI to compete with Amazon and streamline global operations. The company highlights AI's potential for efficiency and improved customer experiences, though industry-wide concerns remain about unclear financial returns and possible job impacts. This strategic move reflects a wider retail race to attract AI talent and develop advanced AI tools.