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Walmart’s AI push keeps shares rising as layoffs and AI vote backlash grow
Walmart said it would lay off or relocate about 1,000 corporate workers in May 2026, and a shareholder proposal on AI’s impact on employee well-being received only 4.9% support in June.
Walmart’s bid to use artificial intelligence to reshape operations has supported strong market momentum, with the company’s valuation reported above $1 trillion and its addition to the Nasdaq-100 on January 9, 2026, a move that the outlet said was linked to an estimated $19 billion in passive inflows.
In parallel, TheStreet reports Walmart’s AI-led initiatives are facing internal scrutiny tied to the pace of work, including employee concerns about safety and product quality.
The outlet also details that in May 2026 Walmart announced it would lay off or relocate about 1,000 corporate workers as part of a plan to streamline global operations. Walmart’s spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal the changes related to organizational structure and alignment, not shifting more tasks to AI.
On the shareholder front, investors in June rejected a proposal requesting disclosure on how Walmart’s AI use affects workforce well-being, with only 4.9% of votes in favor, and the outlet adds that Walmart’s 2026 Annual Report says the company employs 1.6 million associates in the United States and about 500,000 internationally, for a total of 2.1 million employees.
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