Missouri Walmart Shoppers Just Got a New Friend: Sparky

Stop me if you've heard this before, but soon shoppers in Missouri Walmart stores will be talking to themselves - sort of. Specifically, expect them to be talking to "Sparky" and I'll explain the reason why.

Why will you start hearing people say "Sparky" in Missouri Walmart stores?

This is not my imagination, but an official declaration directly from Walmart's corporate office. They have announced they have created a shopping assistant called "Sparky" to help you find what you need when you need it. This is what Sparky looks like.

What will Sparky do?

The press release from Walmart says this little yellow artificial intelligence smiley face will provide you with "instant and comprehensive answers to product-related questions, helping customers quickly understand specific features, compare items and make informed choices". Here's what I'd like from "Sparky". Tell me where the Aloe Vera bottle that my wife asked me to get is. Give me aisle number and tell me if it's in stock. Can you help with that, Sparky?

Walmart claims this is not just a new tech novelty. They believe that Sparky is the future of shopping. Next time you're walking through a Missouri Walmart and hear someone yelling "Sparky" nearby, now you'll know why.