Innovation is about making technology accessible and transformative. Walmart leads retail innovation on an unprecedented scale, blending cutting-edge Gen AI with advanced engineering solutions to enhance operations, elevate employee experience, and improve customer satisfaction across 11 countries.
Driving the Future of Retail Innovation
“Technology should speak your language – literally,” says Sudheer Devaraju, Staff Solutions Consultant in Architecture at Walmart. His work has redefined technology’s capabilities and made it practical and scalable for global deployment. The ‘My Assistant’ GenAI tool, a groundbreaking multilingual platform that empowers Walmart associates in 11 countries to deliver better service and optimize workflows. Walmart now serves over 240 million U.S. customers weekly, leveraging scalable AI solutions that benefit a global workforce of 2.3 million associates. Multilingual Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities streamline operations across North and Central America, with expansions planned for India and South Africa.
Redefining Architectural Innovation at Scale
For Walmart’s 1.8 million associates, time is crucial. Devaraju’s innovations ensure every second counts. “Our AI engines process complex documents in milliseconds,” he shares, highlighting how real-time solutions are revolutionizing workflows and supply chain. From cutting-edge AI for transaction management to advanced multilingual frameworks, his architectural designs prioritize seamless usability and operational efficiency.
Global Solutions, Local Impact
The solutions provide a framework to meet each market’s unique demands. Walmart’s ‘My Assistant’ GenAI platform operates in Canada, Mexico, Chile, and several Central American countries, including Guatemala and Nicaragua. “Each market presents unique challenges,” he explains. “Success lies in building flexible, robust architectures that adapt to local needs while maintaining global standards.” This adaptability ensures associates have tools to excel across diverse regions.
Transforming the Workforce with AI and Cloud
The impact of integrating AI, data lakes, and cloud-native solutions at Walmart extends far beyond technical tools, it has reshaped the workforce ecosystem. By enabling real-time workflows, reducing system latency, and improving reliability, these innovations have achieved estimated annual cost savings of $11.28 billion across 10,500+ stores. This technology empowers associates to focus on higher-value tasks, driving both productivity and cost-efficiency on a massive scale.
Building a Vision for Tomorrow
The roadmap for Walmart’s digital transformation continues to push boundaries, focusing on expanding Generative AI capabilities, optimizing system performance with edge computing, strengthening People API layers, and exploring blockchain for real-time payroll compliance and transparency. At the core of this vision lies a commitment to making technology intuitive, impactful, and indispensable, simplifying complexity to deliver unmatched user experiences.
Recognition and Impact
These groundbreaking contributions have earned recognition across the industry, including titles such as Outstanding Mastermind of Digital Transformation in 2025. Patents for AI and workflow innovations, alongside published research on AI-driven HR systems, further cement this legacy of excellence. Beyond technical expertise, there is a strong dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers, shaping the future of HRIS and AI technology.
Shaping the Future of Retail
The work being done sets a powerful example of how technology, when applied with precision and purpose, can transform global operations. By empowering employees, enhancing customer experiences, and driving unprecedented efficiency, these innovations are setting new standards for the retail industry. Through vision and execution, Sudheer Devaraju has proven that innovation can truly redefine what’s possible.
Walmart’s advancements in people technology and retail innovation are setting a new benchmark across the industry. By integrating AI, multilingual NLP, and cloud-native architectures, Walmart is creating a framework that other large retailers and employers can follow. These solutions are enhancing efficiency, improving workforce support, and redefining how technology can streamline operations, making them a model for the future of retail and HR technology.
