Pioneers of AI Walmart, AI, and the future of shopping, with Walmart CTO Suresh Kumar
10 snips
Dec 3, 2025 Suresh Kumar, Chief Technology Officer at Walmart, is spearheading a bold AI transformation for the retail giant. He discusses integrating OpenAI to allow customers to shop through ChatGPT and introduces Sparky, Walmart's conversational shopping agent. Kumar delves into using AI for tailored local inventory, enhancing delivery options, and boosting supply chain resilience. He highlights the importance of ethical AI implementation and emphasizes a 'people-led, tech-powered' approach to retail, aiming to improve customer experiences while adapting the workforce.
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Shopping Inside ChatGPT
- Walmart partnered with OpenAI so customers can shop directly inside ChatGPT and complete transactions without leaving the chat.
- Suresh says this meets customers where they are and reduces friction by turning conversation into purchase.
Conversation Over Search
- Walmart built a conversational shopping agent called Sparky to understand intent and context rather than keyword search.
- Sparky helps plan events, handle dietary restrictions, and pick optimal delivery options for the customer's needs.
Memory As A Competitive Moat
- Walmart views customer memory and profile data as a competitive moat combined with LLM capabilities.
- Suresh argues their deep multi-channel customer data enables more personalized, contextual shopping than generic LLM access.