Retail giant Target Corporation is launching a new generative artificial intelligence tool to assist its hundreds of thousands of employees across nearly 2,000 stores in the United States.
The AI chatbot, named “Store Companion,” is scheduled to be deployed by August. It will help staff with on-the-job process queries, coach new team members, and support store operations, among other functions, according to the company’s June 20 announcement.
Target stated that the new generative AI-powered chatbot is “designed to make team members’ jobs easier and enhance the shopping experience.”
Accessible as an app on the handheld devices used by Target employees, Store Companion will provide immediate answers to questions about processes and procedures.
For example, employees could ask Store Companion, “How do I sign a guest up for a Target Circle Card?” or “How do I restart the cash register in the event of a power outage?”
Target’s Executive Vice President and Chief Stores Officer, Mark Schindele, hailed generative AI as a “game-changing technology,” highlighting that Store Companion will simplify work tasks and enhance the customer experience. Target employs over 400,000 individuals in the United States, according to Macrotrends.
“The tool frees up time and attention for our team to serve guests with care and to create a shopping destination that invites discovery, ease, and moments of everyday joy,” Schindele remarked.
Store Companion was developed internally by Target’s technology team.
Currently, the AI chatbot is undergoing a pilot phase at approximately 400 stores nationwide, where feedback is being gathered to refine its functionality before a full-scale deployment.
In related developments, a Microsoft executive emphasized the transformative potential of crypto and AI technologies.
Additionally, Target is leveraging generative AI to condense reviews and enhance product descriptions on its website, aiding customers in making informed purchasing decisions.
The company revealed ongoing tests of numerous other generative AI applications, hinting at potential future rollouts.
Despite these advancements, Target’s (TGT) stock price showed no significant movement on Thursday, increasing by 0.59% to $143.38, according to data from Google Finance.