UPDATE: Walmart just announced significant upgrades to its online shopping experience through enhancements to the Walmart Translation Platform (WTP), combining artificial intelligence with human expertise. This development aims to improve accessibility for non-English speakers, creating a more inclusive shopping environment NOW.
The WTP, launched in 2022, has evolved to provide a “seamless, accurate, and inclusive” experience for customers across 19 countries and over 10,000 stores. With this upgrade, Walmart is set to address the frustrations faced by non-English and multilingual shoppers.
Why is this important? Walmart’s integration of AI technology allows it to better navigate the complexities of dialects, regional vocabularies, and slang, which can result in mistranslations. This enhancement is crucial for millions of shoppers who rely on accurate translations while making purchases online.
Originally starting with Spanish searches, the WTP has systematically expanded its capabilities to support non-English users across the entire catalog. The latest iteration employs advanced AI for efficiency and speed, alongside human linguists who refine translations. Walmart aims to eliminate awkward translations, such as “Liberte Yogurt” becoming “freedom yogurt” for French customers or “Hot Wheels” being misinterpreted as “very warm wheels” for Spanish speakers.
Walmart explains, “Every one of these instances was flagged by an AI agent, raised to a linguist and re-translated properly.” This collaborative effort between AI and linguists ensures that customers can navigate the site effectively, regardless of their language.
Tim Simmons, senior vice president and chief product officer at Walmart International, praised the WTP, stating, “The Walmart Translation Platform is an incredible piece of technology, and it’s also got the benefit of being highly efficient.” He highlighted the focus on cultural adaptation, which enhances the overall shopping experience.
In terms of business impact, Walmart’s latest platform version operates at approximately 1% of the cost of its previous translation system. The retailer projects annual savings exceeding $20 million, marking a significant financial benefit while improving user experience.
As these changes roll out, Walmart is poised to transform the online shopping landscape for an increasingly international customer base. The enhanced WTP not only streamlines the shopping process but also fosters a sense of belonging for non-English speakers.
Stay tuned for more updates as Walmart continues to innovate in the realm of online shopping, making it better for customers around the globe!
