July 25, 2025
5 min read
supermarketnews.com
Walmart introduces a new AI ‘super agent’ framework to enhance customer, employee, and partner experiences, alongside key AI leadership hires.
Walmart unveils ‘super agent’ framework for AI tools
Walmart is rolling out a new framework for its artificial intelligence tools consisting of four “super agents” that will act as access points for its customers, employees, and outside partners. Each of the super agents will incorporate multiple AI agents, some of which have already been deployed, that serve specific functions. In addition, the company has created two new executive VP positions to oversee Walmart’s AI platforms. Daniel Danker, formerly chief product officer and head of online grocery for Instacart, was named EVP of AI acceleration, product, and design. He will begin at Walmart on Aug. 18 and report directly to Doug McMillion, president and CEO of Walmart. Walmart is also seeking to fill a newly created EVP of AI platforms position that will report to Suresh Kumar, global chief technology officer and chief development officer at Walmart.Sparky, Marty among the new super agents
In a blog post, Kumar described the four super agents as:- Sparky: Walmart’s customer shopping agent, already live in the Walmart app, designed to help customers find products and services quickly and intuitively. Future plans include AI-powered reordering, customer support, and additional shopping enhancements.
- Associate super agent: Enables employees to perform tasks such as scheduling parental leave and allows store managers to access specific sales data with minimal input.
- Marty: The partner agent designed to help suppliers, sellers, and advertisers manage onboarding, orders, and campaigns.
- Developer super agent: Accelerates Walmart’s ability to test, build, and launch new innovations across the company. Kumar noted that customers and employees have rapidly adopted Walmart’s AI agents. “We realized agents weren’t just useful, they were essential,” he said. However, multiple agents can become overwhelming, which led to the creation of the super agent framework. The super agents will become more visible in Walmart’s ecosystem over the coming year as more specialized agents are added, such as those for human resources and advanced customer service. “We’re combining AI with breakthrough tech—like drones and real-time digital twins of our facilities—to predict and prevent issues before they happen,” Kumar added. AI tools combined with geospatial data and insights from Walmart’s stake in Flipkart’s delivery service in India will enable dynamic delivery windows to 95% of households by year-end.
- Automated defect detection systems in distribution centers flag issues like loose tape or barcode problems.
- AI pallet builders optimize how products are grouped, packed, and shipped.
- Dispatcher systems plan truck driver routes based on hours, location, and availability.
- Load planners optimize truck efficiency and temperature control for perishables.
- Digital twins monitor real-time store equipment conditions, such as refrigerators, to identify potential issues before they occur.
- The Find with RFID tool helps employees locate items anywhere in the store.
- Real-time translator tools assist employees who speak different languages.
- A generative AI customer support assistant gathers relevant information automatically while customers wait to speak with a live representative.
- Walmart’s dynamic delivery algorithm analyzes traffic, order complexity, and historical data to calculate ETAs for express delivery.
- Sparky is designed for customer shopping, offering features like product discovery and AI-powered reordering.
- Marty focuses on assisting suppliers and advertisers with onboarding and order management.
- The Associate super agent supports employees with HR functions like leave scheduling.
- The Developer super agent lends support in innovation across Walmart’s operations. How does Walmart integrate AI in its delivery services? Walmart utilizes AI to manage dynamic delivery windows by analyzing traffic, order complexity, and historical data, increasing efficiency in its delivery operations.
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AI and automation at Walmart
Walmart outlined several current uses of AI, automation, and smart tools:Join us at Grocery NEXT, September 10-12 at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca, Ill., where industry leaders will explore the future of grocery technology, AI, automation, and evolving consumer trends. Register now to be part of this groundbreaking event!
Source: Originally published at supermarketnews.com on July 24, 2025.