Walmart CEO Doug McMillon stated this week that artificial intelligence will impact “literally every job” in the company, as the retail giant braces for a major transformation in its workforce. Speaking at a workforce conference in Bentonville, Arkansas, McMillon said the company plans to maintain its current headcount of approximately 2.1 million employees globally, even as AI significantly alters job functions, required skills, and day-to-day responsibilities.
While Walmart does not expect to reduce its overall workforce in the next three years, the composition of roles is expected to shift. Chief People Officer Donna Morris noted that planning for AI integration is underway, but specific outcomes are still developing. Executives are closely analyzing which jobs will grow, decline, or stay constant, aiming to retrain staff for emerging roles. McMillon emphasized the company’s commitment to helping employees “make it to the other side” of the transition.
Walmart has already incorporated AI into customer service, supply chain management, and internal communications. The company has deployed AI chatbots and invested in predictive analytics to track inventory and consumer trends. In July, Walmart hired Daniel Danker, formerly of Instacart, to oversee AI deployment under McMillon’s direct supervision.
Warehouse automation has already reduced some roles, and the company is exploring back-of-store automation to boost efficiency. At the same time, Walmart has created new roles such as “agent builders” to design AI tools and is expanding its workforce in high-touch areas like bakeries, delivery, and maintenance.
McMillon reassured that customer-facing roles would remain human-led for the foreseeable future. “Until we’re serving humanoid robots and they have the ability to spend money, we’re serving people,” he said. He expects AI to first replace tasks in areas like call centers and digital support, while more hands-on roles will adapt more gradually.
The announcement comes amid broader warnings about AI’s effect on employment. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently cautioned that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level jobs within five years, especially in white-collar sectors. Other industry leaders predict that AI’s impact may reshape rather than erase positions, though consensus remains elusive.
Walmart’s approach signals a cautious but deliberate path: adapt to technological change while preserving jobs and preparing employees for an evolving economy.
