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Walmart’s Chief People Officer Donna Morris has turned to artificial intelligence to accelerate leadership recruitment, using tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to help identify potential hires.
Morris said she sometimes consults the technology when beginning an important search for senior positions in functions such as HR or technology. “You’ll be surprised at how close the actual sources that they come up with align with people who we’ve actually considered,” she said.
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The approach is not a companywide method of sourcing candidates, a Walmart spokesperson confirmed, but reflects how Morris has experimented with the technology for specific leadership roles.
Morris, who oversees the largest private workforce in the US, described AI as a useful source of insights and praised its speed and convenience. While she remains a “big LinkedIn fan,” she said there is an “ease and speed” to using newer tools.
AI-powered tools for employees
Walmart has been investing heavily in AI initiatives aimed at both candidates and its 2.1 million associates. In June, it piloted an AI Interview Coach that mimics a Walmart interview, asking applicants up to 10 questions and then scoring them with detailed feedback on clarity and structure.
Earlier this month, the retailer also revealed plans to offer a customized version of OpenAI’s Certification Program through Walmart Academy. OpenAI intends to certify 10 million Americans in AI fluency by 2030, with Walmart set to play a key role in the rollout.
Morris said these innovations reflect the company’s ongoing investment in giving its people the tools to adapt to an AI-driven future.
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Everyday AI applications
Beyond the workplace, Morris said she regularly uses AI in her personal life, turning to it for restaurant recommendations, design inspiration and even medical queries. She recalled recently FaceTiming her father and using AI to discover that spots on his skin were bruising related to a change in medication.
Reflecting on her career, Morris said she began work in an era when research meant a trip to the library. Today, she views instant access to AI-powered insights as a major advantage. “Now, the access to information is phenomenal,” she said. “I think it’s a real advantage for our current generation and generations ahead in terms of your ability to get knowledge and insights.”
