Part 3/12:
One of Walmart's pioneering AI applications tackles the challenge of zero query scenarios—when a shopper's intent isn't explicitly clear. A notable example is the online grocery substitution system, designed to help users find suitable alternatives when items are out of stock.
Imagine a customer placing an order for bread. If that specific bread isn't available, instead of leaving the basket empty or manually searching again, Walmart's AI steps in to automate substitution. This process is powered by deep learning models, specifically graph convolutional networks that analyze context, item availability, demand patterns, and personalized signals.