Walmart investors reject AI workplace report as automation expands in the US

Walmart investors on Thursday voted against a shareholder proposal asking it to report on how its use of AI is affecting the well-being of its workforce, according to preliminary voting results from the retailer’s annual shareholders’ meeting.

The proposal, filed by investor United for Respect, comes in the teeth of Walmart’s escalating battle against Amazon for ecommerce dominance.

Walmart aims to get deliveries to customers within 30 minutes. Ava Williams, an ‌overnight worker at ⁠a Walmart ⁠in Spokane, Washington, spoke in favor of the proposal, saying she has “repeatedly tried to sound the alarm” about how AI-driven employee standards are leading to “injuries, burnout, and high turnover.”