Kemal Cetin has been named the global chief digital and information officer for Mars's snacking division, valued at $36 billion. Cetin will manage complex supply chains and focus on integrating AI and technology to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making following the acquisition of Kellanova, whose portfolio includes Pop-Tarts, Pringles and Cheez-It. "Together, we will advance the use of digital technologies, data, analytics and AI capabilities to drive sustainable growth and create lasting value for our consumers, customers and Associates," Cetin said.

Walmart has expanded its AI training initiatives for employees by launching a certification program in partnership with OpenAI. The program is designed to be accessible to associates at all levels, with personalized learning paths based on job roles and goals. The curriculum focuses on building AI fluency and integrating human judgment, ensuring that employees can responsibly and effectively leverage AI tools in their daily work. Walmart's approach is designed to scale AI education across its vast workforce while maintaining relevance for each associate.

DoorDash has rolled out Ask DoorDash, an AI-powered chatbot that lets users place food orders and shop for groceries using photos and text prompts. This move is part of a broader trend among gig economy companies like Uber and Instacart to enhance their services with AI. The tool has launched in select markets and will soon expand to support restaurant reservations in additional US cities.

Specialty retailer Batteries Plus has modernized its infrastructure to integrate AI capabilities, achieving significant improvements in customer service and operational efficiency. Batteries Plus has seen a notable increase in sales and a reduction in system incidents, thanks to a cloud-enabled architecture. Senior director Karthik Jambulingam emphasizes the importance of a strong enterprise architecture in realizing scalable AI solutions.

Tractor Supply has scaled its in-house delivery operations with the help of AI, says Kyle Langley, the retailer's vice president of final mile. The company has seen a significant increase in delivery volume since beginning to scale its private fleet and enhance last-mile capabilities, prompting Tractor Supply to use AI to optimize delivery routes and estimate delivery times.

Sam Altman of OpenAI, Demis Hassabis of Google, Dario Amodei of Anthropic and other leading AI executives are set to attend the G7 summit in France. This gathering marks a rare occasion where these normally competitive leaders come together to discuss AI's opportunities and threats with global leaders. The meeting is significant against the backdrop of concerns about AI's rapid development and the pressure on these companies to solidify their business models ahead of anticipated IPOs.