At a Glance

  • Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to develop customized AI certification programs for its frontline and office employees in the U.S., according to a memo from Walmart's Chief People Officer Donna Morris released on Thursday.
  • The executive said the certification courses will open in 2026, but employees can currently access some AI-related training through the retailer's Live Better U education benefit.
  • Walmart said this is part of its commitment to invest nearly $1 billion in skills training by 2026.

Deep Dive

The collaboration between one of the world's largest retailers and a leading AI technology company marks a significant moment for the retail industry.

"The future of retail won't be defined by technology alone—it will be defined by the people who know how to use it," John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a LinkedIn post on Thursday. "By bringing AI training directly to our employees, we will empower them to maximize the benefits of AI-driven technology—giving them the skills they need to rewrite the rules and shape the future of retail."

This news builds on a series of recent AI-related updates from Walmart.

The mass retailer launched a unified, company-wide AI framework in July, centered around four "super agents." These agents are designed to support various business touchpoints and reduce user confusion, including: Sparky, a customer-facing agent launched in June; Marty, a partner agent for suppliers, advertisers, and sellers; an associate agent for stores; and an agent for corporate technology developers.

The framework update coincided with Walmart's announcement of the appointment of former Instacart executive Daniel Danker as Executive Vice President of AI Acceleration, Product, and Design.

So far, the positive financial impact of AI applications has not yet materialized at Walmart.

"Regarding AI, I don't think it has boosted our revenue yet," Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon told analysts during an earnings call in August. "I think it's still early. But as I mentioned, I'm excited about the roadmap. Given the growth in our merchandise categories and our current capabilities in technology, I think the future is very exciting for us, and Daniel will do a great job."

The company's second-quarter results, reported last month, showed revenue up 4.8% year-over-year to $177.4 billion. Walmart's consolidated net income jumped 51.8% to approximately $7.2 billion, and the company raised its full-year guidance. However, the impact of new U.S. global trade policies is beginning to show, with McMillon telling analysts that costs are increasing weekly as Walmart replenishes inventory at new tariff rates.