Walmart Survey Shows Training Boosts AI Confidence Among Workers

Walmart surveyed its 2.1 million associates in June to see how they feel about workplace artificial intelligence. The retail giant received more than 1.7 million responses from its diverse workforce.

Survey Results

Seventy-seven percent of office-based workers at Walmart are excited about the potential of AI to improve their work. Among U.S. frontline staff, 84 percent feel confident using digital tools. These numbers stand out against a broader U.S. poll from August 2026 by the Pew Research Center showing 52 percent of adults feel more concerned than excited about AI.

Training Programs

Over the past 13 months, Walmart has partnered with Google and OpenAI to offer free learning and certification programs. Workers who completed the OpenAI training reported a 27 percent increase in their confidence when using AI. Walmart Chief People Officer for Associate Experience and Digital Maren Waggoner shared these findings at a New York City summit.

Job Impact

Waggoner stated that automation in fulfillment centers reduces physical tasks and creates quality assurance roles instead of causing job losses. At a Dallas innovation lab and in stores, technology helps workers rather than replacing them. A store manager in Mexico built an AI agent to study reports and boost fresh produce sales while still running the store.

Context

Large employers often provide digital skills training to help staff adapt as new workplace tools arrive. Walmart operates across a 64-year history as a major private employer with a large retail workforce. Companies frequently balance automated processes with human roles to manage daily store operations.