Accelerating Retail Outcomes with Responsible AI
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing retail and the workplace—not with flashy tools, but by making smarter decisions faster. That was the clear message from a recent episode of Doing Business in Bentonville, where Slalom leaders Andrew Fano, Jack Rudelic, Erika Pflueger, and Marco Kilongkilong shared a playbook for AI that delivers real business value.
The key? Injecting AI into existing workflows to speed up time to value. Jack Rudelic highlighted how generative AI, when layered over enterprise data, helps retailers streamline logistics, HR, and customer service by getting the right answers to the right people quickly.
Erika Pflueger emphasized AI’s role in transforming product roadmaps and software delivery. Teams can now draft requirements, test ideas, and iterate faster—without adding headcount. “It’s not about more tools. It’s about making the hard work easier,” she explained.
Avoiding the AI Proof-of-Concept Graveyard
Many AI projects stall because they lack governance or clear use cases. Marco Kilongkilong stressed the importance of ethical frameworks and human accountability. Companies must embed trust from day one, balancing innovation with privacy, legal, and operational safeguards.
Slalom’s practical approach—centered on people, tools, and processes—helps clients identify achievable, measurable AI use cases aligned with business goals. This avoids pilot purgatory and accelerates adoption.
A Human-Centered Vision for the Future of Work
Looking ahead, AI is expected to reduce manual labor, enabling shorter workweeks and more creative roles. With generative tools lowering technical barriers, more “citizen developers” will emerge across industries.
Slalom’s message to retailers: lead with governance, amplify your people, and stay grounded in culture. That’s how AI becomes more than a demo—it becomes a dependable business engine.
