Walmart connects with OpenAI to bring AI training directly to frontline and office associates

Walmart has been announced as a launch partner for OpenAI's new Jobs Platform and OpenAI Certifications initiatives, alongside John Deere, BCG, Accenture, Indeed, Texas Association of Business, and Bay Area Council & State of Delaware.

Beginning next year, US frontline and office-based associates will be able to tap into AI training. Through the Walmart Academy programme, employees will have free access to a tailored version of the aforementioned certification.

"We know the future of retail won’t be defined by technology alone - it will be defined by people who know how to use it. By bringing AI training directly to our associates, we’re putting the most powerful technology of our time in their hands - giving them the skills to rewrite the playbook and shape the future of retail," says John Furner, CEO at Walmart US.

John Walsh, Accenture Americas CEO, says: "We’re deeply committed to preparing workers for an AI world by equipping them with the skills needed to be successful today and in the future - not only for ourselves, but also for our clients. Through our collaboration with OpenAI, we’ll be able to offer OpenAI certifications to our people as part of our AI training curriculum, as well as explore AI talent through the work marketplace.”

“We’ll leverage our capabilities as a world class learning organisation to help our clients do the same, enabling them to develop the skills needed to make the most of the opportunities that AI is bringing."

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries. 

Deadline for submissions is Friday, 5th December. It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January.