Walmart and Amazon are leveraging AI to revolutionize retail through novel consumer experiences and improved operational efficiency.
As per analytics firm GlobalData, Walmart is concentrating on augmented reality and AI-optimized store management. On the other hand, Amazon is at the forefront of enhancing customer personalization and autonomous technologies.
Kiran Raj, the Practice Head of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, states: “Walmart and Amazon are now competing beyond just market share. Their AI initiatives are transforming the entire retail landscape—from Walmart’s integration of digital and physical shopping to Amazon’s automation in operations.”
Utilizing its Technology Foresights tool, GlobalData’s Disruptor Intelligence Center has pinpointed the strategic focuses of these retail giants based on their patent filings.
Walmart has filed over 3,000 AI-related patents, with 20% of these filed in the past three years, highlighting a rapid progression in its AI capabilities. In contrast, Amazon holds more than 9,000 patents, with half registered during the same period, showcasing its dominance in AI-oriented retail innovations.
AI-driven retail transformation
Walmart is implementing AI-powered solutions such as in-store product recognition and is making significant advances in AR applications, including virtual try-ons. The company’s initiatives in smart warehouses and image-based transactions indicate a move towards fully autonomous retail, improving both speed and accuracy in customer service.
Meanwhile, Amazon is notable for its widespread use of AI in customer personalization and autonomous systems. By utilizing technologies such as Autonomous Network Virtualization and Automated VNF Deployment, the company is enhancing its operational framework and striving to establish new benchmarks in data management and network efficiency.
Walmart’s innovations in intelligent voice assistants and automated store surveillance reflect its goal of offering a seamless and secure shopping experience. At the same time, Amazon’s advancements in AI for coding and surveillance are expanding the horizons of enterprise AI applications and fortifying security measures.
“The aggressive innovation strategies of Walmart and Amazon not only bolster their market positions but also create a framework for the future of retail,” Raj remarks.
“As these two giants continue to challenge the limitations of retail AI, the wider industry can anticipate significant impacts in supply chain innovation, customer loyalty initiatives, and operational scalability—laying the foundation for a new era of consumer engagement.”
(Photo by Marques Thomas)
See also: Whitepaper dispels fears of AI-induced job losses
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