Walmart's AI Assistant Sparky Drives 40% Higher Customer Spending

Walmart has announced that customers using its AI assistant Sparky are spending 40% more per order compared to those who don't use it. According to CEO John Furner, the number of customers using Sparky increased by 70% from a year ago.

Furner highlighted an example where a customer asked Sparky for a weekly meal plan of healthy, high-protein foods and received recipes and meal kits that could be added to their cart with one click. Sparky also recognized ingredients the customer had already purchased to avoid duplicates.

The company is using AI to make shopping easier and more personalized while helping its associates work more efficiently. Walmart has also tested 'Sponsored Prompt' ads inside Sparky and partnered with OpenAI to let ChatGPT users buy Walmart products directly, similar to Amazon's strategy with Rufus.