‘You'll be surprised’: Walmart HR chief says she uses ChatGPT and other AI tools to spot new hires

Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris said she has recently turned to AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to help identify potential candidates for leadership roles at the retail giant.

As quoted in a Business Insider report, Morris said "You'll be surprised at how close the actual sources that they come up with align with people who we've actually considered," adding that she uses the tools when ‘kicking off’ a key search for senior positions such as tech or HR executives. Morris, who oversees the largest private workforce in the US, said she still relies heavily on LinkedIn but finds "ease and speed" in AI tools when looking for insights on people.

How Walmart chief people officer uses AI in daily life

Donna Morris said she also uses AI in her personal life — from finding restaurant recommendations and design inspiration to quickly searching medical information. She recalled FaceTiming her father and using AI to learn that marks on his skin were bruised from a medication change."Now, the access to information is phenomenal," Morris 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."

A Walmart spokesperson told Business Insider that Morris’s use of AI was not part of a company-wide hiring practice and was applied in specific cases.

Walmart’s AI investments

The company has been making significant moves in AI. In June, Walmart announced an AI Interview Coach pilot to help job seekers prepare for interviews by simulating up to 10 questions and providing scores and feedback. Earlier this month, the company also said it would roll out a tailored version of OpenAI’s Certification Program through Walmart Academy.