Additional Coverage:
- Walmart CEO quietly warns its 2 million workers about AI’s impact: ‘Every job will change’ (marketrealist.com)
Walmart CEO to 2 Million Workers: Get Ready for an AI Makeover!
Bentonville, AR – Get ready for a workplace revolution, Walmart employees! That’s the underlying message from CEO Doug McMillon, who recently shared his vision for how artificial intelligence (AI) will transform every single job within the retail giant’s global workforce of 2.1 million.
While McMillon didn’t announce any impending layoffs, he made it clear at a Harvard Business Review event that the winds of change are blowing strong. “Every job we’ve got is going to change in some way – whether it’s getting the shopping carts off the parking lot, or the way our technologists work, or certainly the way leadership roles change,” he stated, according to a report in the Financial Express.
This news comes hot on the heels of Walmart’s recent collaboration with OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT. This partnership, as reported by The Independent, will allow customers to interact with ChatGPT to browse and purchase products, signaling a significant shift in how the supermarket chain operates. It’s a clear indicator that AI is set to weave itself deeply into the fabric of Walmart’s operations in the coming years.
For the 1.6 million Walmart employees in the United States, and their colleagues worldwide, this means embracing new tools and adapting to a rapidly evolving work environment. McMillon emphasized that the company is committed to providing the necessary support. “What we want to do is equip everybody to be able to make the most of the new tools that are available, learn, adapt, add value, drive growth – and still be a really large employer years from now,” he added.
However, the CEO’s comments might stir some apprehension, especially given recent layoff announcements from other major retailers. In late October, Amazon revealed plans to cut 14,000 corporate jobs, and Target announced its largest round of layoffs in a decade, impacting 1,800 roles, attributed in part to automation.
Despite these industry trends, Walmart spokesperson Jimmy Carter has offered reassurance to employees. “Over the next three years, we expect headcount to remain flat as roles evolve. That’s why we’re providing associates with AI training and pathways to careers that are in high demand, both today and in the future,” Carter stated.
So, while “every job will change,” the message from Walmart leadership is one of adaptation and growth, with a promise of support to help its massive workforce navigate the exciting, and perhaps daunting, new era of AI.