Donna Morris Shares Takeaways from Walmart’s AI Integration

In HRPA’s 3^rd quarter Chair’s Forum, Walmart CHRO Donna Morris shared her expertise and strategy leading Walmart as a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer integrating AI across all aspects of the organization.

Broad AI application: Ms. Morris discussed AI as an assistant and way to “plus up” an individual’s capabilities. Walmart examples include:

• A tool that allows any associate in a store or club to pull out their mobile device and use voice to translate into the language of the customer.

• An AI-enabled bot that allows store workers to practice interviews for new roles.

• A scheduling tool to ease scheduling worker’s shifts.

“While our people will be at the forefront, it'll be technology that actually transforms how they work.”

Learning culture: At every leadership meeting, Walmart invites each of its leaders to talk about how AI is shaping their respective domains.

“I think part of this change is embracing it, and what we've been very open about is that AI is not going to take your job, your lack of using AI will take your job.”

Integrating AI into the people function: Walmart has a tech team that is dedicated to the people function.

• This week, Walmart announced a new EVP of AI Acceleration Product and Design reporting to the CEO. The position’s mandate is to look at the company’s business priorities and make sure Walmart is considering products and tools that enhance associate and customer experiences effectively.

“If I was in a smaller company, what I would say is, whoever your HCM provider is, lean in to find out what they're offering and if that's something that is applicable to your team and your function.”

Motivating employees: Getting employees to engage with and talk about AI is key to engagement in AI integration.

• Weekly reports - Employees receive a report every Friday on how often they used one of Walmart’s AI tools and the estimated time it may have saved. The report compares each employee’s usage with others in their job and those within their team.

• Shark tank -Walmart created a “shark tank” experience for its Total Rewards team to present several AI use cases to accelerate their work. The tech partner will attend to help determine the priority order for addressing these ideas.

HR comfort zone: HR is often hesitant to take risks, preferring pilot studies and longer roll-outs. AI is a game changer - Ms. Morris advises CHROs to seize the opportunity to build the strategic blueprint for the future of your organization—that’s the work that the people team should be driving.

“I'm like game on! But this is not for the weak at heart, like there's a lot of change ahead.”

What's next: Join us on October 6 for our Q4 Chair’s Forum with Kroger EVP & CPO Tim Massa!