Walmart CEO Doug McMillon: ‘AI Will Literally Change Every Job’
Walmart Inc. President and CEO Doug McMillon delivers a keynote address during CES 2024 at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller | Getty Images)
AI’s Ubiquity in Shaping the Workforce
Artificial intelligence is on the brink of transforming how businesses operate, from automating repetitive tasks to optimizing supply chains and personalizing customer experiences. No one feels this seismic shift more than Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, who recently stated in interviews with The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press that “AI is going to change literally every job.”
Walmart, with its 2.1 million global employees, stands as a bellwether for the broader U.S. and international workforce. McMillon’s forecasting of AI-driven change is echoed by other high-profile leaders, including Amazon’s Andy Jassy and Ford’s Jim Farley, who are similarly preparing their organizations for a future shaped by artificial intelligence. According to the Business Talent Group’s 2025 survey, as many as 41% of employers plan to leverage AI to replace some job roles within the next three years.
White-Collar Jobs on the Front Line of Change
While automation has historically reshaped blue-collar and manual labor jobs, McMillon points out that the next wave of evolution will hit white-collar positions first. AI-powered tools—from generative chatbots to advanced analytics dashboards—are already streamlining tasks in areas like customer service, supply chain management, human resources, and corporate administration.
Walmart is leading by example, rolling out AI agents designed to handle routine queries from customers, optimize inventory flows, and monitor sales patterns with unprecedented accuracy. The company has publicly stated plans to freeze its overall headcount for the next three years while still pursuing revenue growth primarily through AI-enhanced productivity and efficiency. This mirrors broader trends across retail, logistics, and financial services, where digital transformation has become imperative.
AI Adoption Across All Roles
The impact of AI is not confined to the corporate office. McMillon asserts that “even workers in our stores and warehouses will increasingly see their job responsibilities augmented, if not fully transformed, by artificial intelligence.” Examples include AI-enabled scheduling, robotic inventory robots on store floors, and machine learning modules tracking demand fluctuations in real time. In its 2024 operational summary, Walmart highlighted the deployment of automation systems in 55% of its U.S. distribution centers, cutting processing costs and reducing fulfillment errors by double-digit percentages.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, retail jobs have already shifted, with cashier roles declining by 10% over the last five years, while field technician and data analyst positions have climbed steadily. Industry-wide, this transition is expected to accelerate: research firm Gartner projects global AI software spending to reach nearly $300 billion by 2025, up over 25% from the prior year.
Skills for the AI-Driven Workplace
How can workers stay ahead of the AI curve? McMillon firmly believes the answer is adaptability and lifelong learning. “The best way to think about it is getting ‘plussed up’,” he said, referring to workers proactively familiarizing themselves with new tools, leveraging technology to enhance their output, and always seeking to add value beyond what automation alone can provide.
This sentiment is echoed by other industry leaders and backed by mounting evidence. A LinkedIn study in early 2024 found that the most in-demand skills are no longer just technical, but “soft” skills such as adaptability, problem solving, and effective communication. Recruiters now specifically target candidates who show an openness to change and the ability to operate in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
The Challenge: ‘Workslop’ and Human Value
While AI can supercharge productivity, it’s not without pitfalls. A recent BetterUp and Stanford University survey of 1,150 full-time U.S. desk workers revealed that nearly 40% had encountered “workslop”: AI-generated work that appears productive but falls short of human standards, demanding extensive corrections and sometimes resulting in workflow slowdowns. This phenomenon underscores why human oversight and critical thinking remain vital, even as automation expands.
Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman, in an August 2025 interview, reinforced this message, saying “critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills are just as essential now as they will be in the AI future.” Walmart’s own store managers exemplify this hybrid value, blending technical acumen in implementing inventory-tracking technology with people skills necessary to lead diverse teams and deliver superior customer service.
People First: The Enduring Role of Human Employees
Despite the explosion of AI technologies, McMillon insists that “people will always be central to Walmart’s operations,” especially when it comes to customer interaction. “Until we’re serving humanoid robots, and they have the ability to spend money, we’re serving people. People want to interact with people,” he stated.
This philosophy is influencing workforce policy not only at Walmart but also at many customer-facing companies. As McMillon summarizes, “Human skills have always been valuable, and that’ll be even more true in the future.” Store managers, team leaders, and associates who can blend both technical proficiency and soft skills will find themselves indispensable.
Upskilling for the Future
To remain competitive, both current employees and job seekers are urged to upskill—learning everything from basic prompt-writing for AI chatbots to advanced data analysis and automation management. Online courses, corporate training programs, and industry certifications continue to proliferate. Walmart itself has launched digital learning initiatives for its workers, focused on AI literacy, digital basics, and advanced analytics.
For those seeking to future-proof their careers, leveraging both technical and uniquely human capabilities will be essential. As AI redefines what it means to be productive at work, it’s those able to adapt, learn, and lead through change who will shape the next chapter of the workforce.
