Walmart CEO Pledges Stable US Workforce Amid AI Expansion

Walmart is embracing artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency and transform job roles without reducing its workforce, which currently includes approximately 1.6 million U.S. employees. The company has introduced AI tools for store managers to streamline tasks such as inventory management and sales analysis, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work, and plans to offer AI training through a partnership with OpenAI aimed at upskilling workers. Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner emphasized that while some traditional roles may disappear, new, often better-paying roles are emerging, exemplified by employees transitioning from manual labor to managing AI-driven technologies. Despite laying off about 1,500 employees mainly in technical and e-commerce roles, Walmart expects to maintain steady headcount over the next several years while increasing productivity and sales growth. The company’s Chief Technology Officer highlighted plans to integrate generative AI across supply chain and e-commerce platforms by 2025, underscoring AI's role as a core innovation driver. Although AI adoption has led to some job displacement, Walmart’s approach focuses on career extension and upskilling to prepare its workforce for evolving roles in a digital retail environment.