AI Training for All: Walmart’s Bold Workforce Move

Walmart has just made a game-changing announcement that signals a fundamental shift in retail strategy. Rather than simply investing in the latest technology, they're making an unprecedented commitment to their people by bringing AI training through a custom OpenAI certification to every US associate—completely free of charge.

This bold initiative will be delivered through Walmart Academy, already the world's largest private in-house training program with over 3.5 million participants. Starting immediately, associates can access existing AI training through the Live Better U platform, with formal certification rolling out in 2026. The move builds upon Walmart's remarkable $1 billion commitment to skills development, positioning the retail giant as genuinely "people-led but tech-enabled."

What makes this approach so revolutionary is that Walmart isn't merely deploying new tools—they're equipping their entire workforce to use them effectively. As Scott Benedict notes, "Strategy is nothing without the capability to execute." While many retailers chase technology for technology's sake, Walmart recognizes that without parallel investment in people, even the most advanced systems can backfire. By transforming associates from potential bystanders into active partners in technological evolution, Walmart sends a powerful message that their people matter. This approach doesn't just build loyalty and engagement—it fosters innovation from those closest to customers. For anyone watching retail's digital transformation, Walmart's human-centered approach offers a fascinating blueprint that may well redefine what competitive advantage looks like in modern retail.

Ready to hear more insights on how retailers are navigating the balance between technology and human capital? Subscribe to Scott's Thoughts for weekly analysis on the trends reshaping retail from someone who's been in the trenches. What do you think about Walmart's approach? Let us know in the comments!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:07):
Well, hello everyone and welcome to Scott's Thoughts.
I'm Scott Benedict.
One of the things I've beenthinking about and reading about
recently is a recentannouncement made by Walmart
that they are making a move tobring AI training through a
custom certification with OpenAIto every Walmart associate here

(00:28):
in the US free of charge andlaunching in 2026.
Now, in my mind, it's not justabout tech.
It's a signal the mostsuccessful retailers are now
investing just as much in theirpeople as they are in new
technology.
Now Donna Morris, who is thechief people officer at Walmart,

(00:50):
sent a note to associatesrecently was shared publicly
about a new partnership withOpenAI and through Walmart
Academy, the world's largestprivate in-house training
program with over 3.
Half million participants,associates can now soon get
tailored AI certificationtraining in a number of areas.

(01:13):
I thought this was neat becauseit builds upon Walmart's nearly
$1 billion commitment to skillstraining through 2026.
It includes programs like LiveBetter you and Walmart Academy.
Now for now, associates canbegin taking existing AI
training through the Live Betteryou platform, while formal

(01:35):
certification will roll out nextyear, in 2026.
Now there's a couple reasonswhy I think this matters.
First of all, positioningWalmart as people-led but
tech-enabled part of theirmission statement.
As someone who has seenretailers chase the shiny
technology object, this reallykind of stands out.

(01:58):
My view Walmart isn't simplydeploying tools, they're
equipping their workforce to usethem.
That's a huge difference in mymind, and being technology-led
without parallel investment inpeople, in my view, can backfire
.
So I think this is really theright call.
When I taught retailing, I wouldalways argue that strategy is

(02:20):
nothing without the capabilityto execute either on the sales
floor or in the office.
Giving associates real AItraining tools builds on that
capability.
It feels like they're empoweredrather than being displaced by
technology Companies.
Also, in my mind, buildinghuman capital, this long-term

(02:43):
commitment, a billion-dollarinvestment by 2026, it's not
just charity or a feel-goodinvestment.
It's really, in my mind, smartbusiness.
It's training people fortomorrow's tasks.
Today that feels pretty smartto me.
It also culturally sends amessage to associates that it

(03:05):
sends a promise to them that youmatter, that when associates
and employees feel that theirdevelopment is a priority for
their employer, it fuelsengagement, it fuels loyalty and
it fuels innovation, becausesometimes some of those best
ideas come from associates outin the fields.

(03:28):
Now retailers, no doubt, areinvesting heavily in inventory
systems, automation, ai-enabledtechnologies, but without
building the skills and theconfidence to use them in their
people.
It makes their staff feel, inmy mind, like bystanders.

(03:49):
Walmart's approach, I believe,flips that Associates become
partners in how the business isevolving and the role the
technology is playing, and Ithink that really differentiates
them from other retailers andI'm excited about it.
And to watch it unfold, that'swhat I've been thinking.
Differentiates them from otherretailers and I'm excited about
it.
And to watch it unfold, that'swhat I've been thinking about.
I'm Scott Benedict, you.