Inside Walmart’s AI Transformation: Empowering Work Across 1.5 Million Associates
Tue Jan 20 2026
What happens when AI isn’t built for people—but with them?
In this episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, sponsored by Microsoft, Ron Thurston sits down with Dave Glick, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Business Services at Walmart, for a rare inside look at one of the most ambitious, people-led AI transformations happening anywhere in retail.
Dave shares how Walmart is building AI capabilities at true enterprise scale—creating tools and platforms that empower campus associates today and ultimately support more than 1.5 million associates across the business. But this conversation isn’t about automation for efficiency’s sake. It’s about agency, ownership, and removing the friction that keeps people from doing their best work.
You’ll hear how Walmart is deploying:
Super agents that act as a single front door to work—routing tasks, knowledge, and workflows intelligentlyNano agents—small, purpose-built tools often created by associates themselves to solve real, everyday problemsAI-powered capabilities like real-time translation, intelligent prioritization, and workflow automation
One of the most powerful insights in this episode is how adoption actually happens. Instead of pushing new technology onto teams, Walmart created tools people pulled into their work—driving organic adoption, rapid iteration, and genuine enthusiasm. From late-night “vibe coding” sessions fueled by Diet Coke to hackathons where non-engineers build agents in minutes, Dave illustrates how culture—not code—determines success.
The conversation also explores how Walmart balances speed with responsibility. Rather than slowing innovation through fear, the company leaned into clear guardrails, trusted governance, and a shared belief that the biggest risk is moving too slowly. This mindset allows teams to learn fast, improve fast, and scale what works.
While Dave’s focus is enterprise operations, the impact reaches customers in a meaningful way. By reducing friction, eliminating root causes, and lowering operational costs, Walmart strengthens its Everyday Low Price promise—proving that associate empowerment and customer value are deeply connected.
At its core, this episode is a case study in what’s possible when technology and HUMAN PRIDE move together—and why the future of retail will belong to leaders who build AI that elevates people, not replaces them.
Key Takeaways:
Walmart is scaling AI in a way that restores agency and ownership to associatesOver 6,000 associates have been trained to build and deploy AI-driven solutionsSuper agents and nano agents are transforming how work gets done—without overwhelming usersReal transformation happens when technology is pulled by teams, not pushed by leadershipHuman-centered AI can drive efficiency, engagement, and long-term customer
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What happens when AI isn’t built for people—but with them? In this episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, sponsored by Microsoft, Ron Thurston sits down with Dave Glick, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Business Services at Walmart, for a rare inside look at one of the most ambitious, people-led AI transformations happening anywhere in retail. Dave shares how Walmart is building AI capabilities at true enterprise scale—creating tools and platforms that empower campus associates today and ultimately support more than 1.5 million associates across the business. But this conversation isn’t about automation for efficiency’s sake. It’s about agency, ownership, and removing the friction that keeps people from doing their best work. You’ll hear how Walmart is deploying: Super agents that act as a single front door to work—routing tasks, knowledge, and workflows intelligentlyNano agents—small, purpose-built tools often created by associates themselves to solve real, everyday problemsAI-powered capabilities like real-time translation, intelligent prioritization, and workflow automation One of the most powerful insights in this episode is how adoption actually happens. Instead of pushing new technology onto teams, Walmart created tools people pulled into their work—driving organic adoption, rapid iteration, and genuine enthusiasm. From late-night “vibe coding” sessions fueled by Diet Coke to hackathons where non-engineers build agents in minutes, Dave illustrates how culture—not code—determines success. The conversation also explores how Walmart balances speed with responsibility. Rather than slowing innovation through fear, the company leaned into clear guardrails, trusted governance, and a shared belief that the biggest risk is moving too slowly. This mindset allows teams to learn fast, improve fast, and scale what works. While Dave’s focus is enterprise operations, the impact reaches customers in a meaningful way. By reducing friction, eliminating root causes, and lowering operational costs, Walmart strengthens its Everyday Low Price promise—proving that associate empowerment and customer value are deeply connected. At its core, this episode is a case study in what’s possible when technology and HUMAN PRIDE move together—and why the future of retail will belong to leaders who build AI that elevates people, not replaces them. Key Takeaways: Walmart is scaling AI in a way that restores agency and ownership to associatesOver 6,000 associates have been trained to build and deploy AI-driven solutionsSuper agents and nano agents are transforming how work gets done—without overwhelming usersReal transformation happens when technology is pulled by teams, not pushed by leadershipHuman-centered AI can drive efficiency, engagement, and long-term customer