Walmart has launched a certification program with OpenAI designed to train associates at all levels on AI tools and responsible use (Modern Retail). The company previously launched a similar certificate program with Google earlier this year. The OpenAI program is tailored to different roles—from new associates building basic confidence to store leaders learning how AI can help with coaching and planning, to operations and merchandising staff learning to analyze information and reduce friction (Modern Retail).
The training focuses on AI fluency, responsible use, and keeping human judgment at the center of decision-making (Modern Retail). Real-world examples show tangible impact: a logistics manager created an app to help drivers identify optimal loads to get home on time, reducing empty miles and saving the company money; a fresh department employee designed an AI agent to train staff on food handling and cake decoration using internal guidance (Modern Retail). For commerce practitioners, Walmart's approach signals that AI upskilling at the store and supply-chain level isn't about replacing worker judgment but enabling associates to build custom tools that solve operational problems and improve customer-facing work.