Walmart CEO Predicts AI Will Transform All Jobs, Not Just Tech
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has stated that artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly transform every job within the company, which employs over two million people globally. Speaking at a conference in Bentonville, Arkansas, McMillon emphasized that while AI will reshape roles, it does not necessarily lead to massive layoffs. Recent studies indicate that AI’s impact may be more about transformation than job elimination.
AI’s Broad Impact on Employment
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, McMillon indicated that it is “very clear” AI will change “literally every job.” This assertion holds particular weight given Walmart’s status as the largest employer worldwide. His vision suggests that AI will affect not only white-collar jobs, such as software engineering, but also roles traditionally seen as lower-skilled, including warehouse workers and checkout cashiers.
Historically, discussions surrounding AI’s potential to disrupt the job market have largely concentrated on technology sectors. The rise of advanced coding tools has created challenges for recent graduates in computer science. Conversely, the competition among tech firms to develop more powerful AI models has led to soaring salaries for established engineers. Nonetheless, McMillon’s perspective broadens the conversation to include the diverse workforce across various roles in retail and service industries.
Emphasizing Transformation Over Replacement
McMillon advocates for a proactive approach to workforce changes brought about by AI. He stressed the importance of upskilling employees to facilitate their transition into new roles. “We’ve got to create the opportunity for everybody to make it to the other side,” he stated. This approach frames AI not merely as a threat, but as a transformative force that requires responsible management from business leaders.
In the absence of comprehensive federal oversight, the responsibility for navigating AI’s implications on the workforce increasingly falls on employers. The Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, released earlier this year, focused on upskilling initiatives but lacked specific protections for workers who may be displaced by automation.
Recent data from Indeed reinforces McMillon’s stance. The findings suggest that AI is altering job requirements rather than outright replacing jobs. Only 11% of executives surveyed believe AI will significantly reduce their workforce, while a notable 84% expect the technology to change the nature of existing positions within their organizations.
Research from OpenAI further supports this trend, revealing that advanced AI models can perform competitively with human experts on tasks that contribute to economic productivity. This evolution raises questions about the future of work and the types of new roles that AI could create.
In a similar vein, Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, indicated that while AI may lead to “fewer people doing some of the jobs,” it will also create new opportunities. As the landscape of work evolves, businesses must adapt to these changes while supporting their workforce through training and development.
As Walmart and other major employers navigate the implications of AI, the emphasis on transformation rather than replacement may provide a pathway for workers to thrive in an increasingly automated world. The dialogue around AI’s impact on jobs is just beginning, and it will require thoughtful leadership to ensure that all employees can transition successfully into the future.
