Observed Signal · Jul 15, 2026 · Partnership · Source: Retail Dive · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Walmart Uses AI and Digital Twins for Supply Chain
Walmart is expanding its use of artificial intelligence and digital twin technology to optimize global supply chain operations, according to Indira Uppuluri, the company’s senior vice president of supply chain technology. The retailer uses predictive models, machine learning, AI agents and virtual replicas of its logistics network to simulate disruptions (facility closures, transportation delays, shifting demand) and recommend actions for associates. Walmart also provides role-specific AI certifications in partnership with OpenAI and Google via its associate-facing platform, Squiggly, and builds custom AI tools internally. The approach is intended to improve assortment, speed and cost trade-offs amid geopolitical, tariff and weather-driven supply chain volatility in 2026.
Major retailer adopting AI, agentic tools and digital twins to optimize logistics; significant for retail operations and enterprise AI adoption but not an industry-shifting AdTech event.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Walmart uses AI models, machine learning and digital twin technology to model and optimize its supply chain.
- Indira Uppuluri is Walmart’s senior vice president of supply chain technology and described the company’s AI and digital twin usage.
- Walmart partners with OpenAI and Google on role-specific AI certifications offered through its associate-facing platform, Squiggly.
- Walmart’s teams use virtual replicas of the company’s logistics network to simulate facility closures, transportation delays and changes in customer demand.
- Walmart previously launched an effort to provide AI training to 2 million employees (company-wide initiative referenced).
Connected Companies & Entities
5 Entities mapped“Before Walmart kicked off an effort to get AI into the hands of 2 million employees, the retail giant’s supply chain team already relied on ...”
“Walmart partners with OpenAI and Google on role-specific AI certifications offered through the company’s associate-facing platform, Squiggly...”
“Walmart partners with OpenAI and Google on role-specific AI certifications offered through the company’s associate-facing platform, Squiggly...”
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Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Walmart uses AI to limit weather supply disruptions
Walmart is using predictive artificial intelligence and machine learning to mitigate weather-related disruptions across its supply chain. The company combines historical weather patterns, real-time forecasts and operational signals (transportation capacity, employee availability, carrier data) to simulate impacts, reposition inventory, reroute shipments and recalculate fulfillment paths before storms, wildfires or other severe events. Walmart also uses smart tracking to monitor shipments in transit and communicate delivery changes to customers. Walmart Canada developed a storm rerouting agent that cross-references 10-day forecasts with highway/ferry closures and carrier signals to improve visibility in remote regions. The article quotes Indira Uppuluri, Walmart's senior vice president of supply chain technology, and was published July 30, 2026 on Retail Dive / Supply Chain Dive.
Walmart Trains Store Employees to Use AI
Walmart has begun certifying store-level associates to use generative AI through partnerships with OpenAI and Google. The company launched an OpenAI certification program last week, following an earlier Google certificate, to teach AI fluency, responsible use, and how to keep human judgment central. Walmart executives say the training is personalized by role — from basic confidence-building for AI newcomers to operational uses for merchandising, scheduling dashboards for store managers, and apps for logistics. Examples include an associate-built bakery app that evaluates cake decoration from photos and a logistics tool that helps drivers pick loads to get home on time. Walmart is also limiting redundant AI use cases where costs outweigh benefits.
Walmart Embraces AI While Pledging No Mass Layoffs
Walmart says it will integrate artificial intelligence across its operations while emphasizing that AI adoption is intended to augment — not replace — employees. The company plans AI training for its roughly 2.1 million global associates with tailored AI literacy programs across roles. Walmart completed a five-year, $1 billion training pledge in fiscal 2026 via Walmart Academies and the Live Better U program, and reports millions of training completions. The retailer also published an Environmental, Sustainability and Governance report highlighting renewable energy progress and product reformulation efforts at Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark brand. The company acknowledged recent technology-role reductions (~1,000 positions) tied to organizational streamlining, while stating AI itself is not the primary cause of workforce cuts.
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