Walmart and Amazon are leveraging artificial intelligence to reshape the retail industry by enhancing customer experiences and streamlining operations. These tech-driven advancements are helping to transform how consumers shop and how businesses manage their processes.
According to analytics firm GlobalData, Walmart has been focusing on integrating AI into areas like augmented reality and store management. On the other hand, Amazon has been a frontrunner in developing AI-powered customer personalization and autonomous systems.
Kiran Raj, Practice Head of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, highlights this shift: “Walmart and Amazon aren’t just competing for market share anymore. Their AI initiatives are redefining the retail landscape, from Walmart’s blend of digital and physical shopping experiences to Amazon’s focus on automation and operational efficiency.”
Using GlobalData’s Technology Foresights tool, the firm’s Disruptor Intelligence Center has identified where these two retail giants are concentrating their efforts based on patent filings.
Walmart has filed over 3,000 AI-related patents, with a notable 20% of these coming in the last three years, signaling rapid progress in its AI initiatives. Amazon, however, has filed more than 9,000 patents, half of them in the same period, reinforcing its leadership in AI innovation for the retail sector.
AI-Driven Transformation in Retail
Walmart’s AI-powered innovations include in-store product recognition and advancements in augmented reality, such as virtual try-on features. The company is also focusing on automating its operations, with developments in smart warehouses and image-based transactions that are designed to improve speed and accuracy in customer service.
Amazon, meanwhile, is using AI to personalize customer experiences while advancing its autonomous systems. By employing technologies such as Autonomous Network Virtualization and Automated VNF Deployment, Amazon is pushing the boundaries of network efficiency and operational infrastructure.
Walmart is also developing intelligent voice assistants and automated surveillance in its stores to enhance security and provide a more seamless shopping experience. Amazon is making strides in AI for both coding and surveillance, pushing further into enterprise applications and boosting security measures.
Raj notes that these innovations from Walmart and Amazon not only solidify their positions as industry leaders but also serve as a roadmap for the future of retail. “Their aggressive AI strategies are setting the stage for supply chain improvements, enhanced customer loyalty programs, and greater operational scalability—ushering in a new era of consumer engagement.”