Winner. Business Leader of the Year 2024

Swati Kirti

Position: Group Director Data Science
Company: Walmart Global Tech
City: Bellevue, Washington
Country: USA
Economic/Business Sector: Software & IT Services

Ms. Kirti is considered an industry expert with exceptional technical ability in artificial intelligence and machine learning. She has repeated noteworthy success for some of the most recognizable and valuable companies, domestically and internationally, consistently delivering innovative solutions and contributing greatly to the broader data science industry.

Currently, Swati Kirti is the Group Director of Data Science at WMT Global Tech, leading the AI/ML charter for its international business in Canada, Mexico, Central America, Chile, China, and South Africa. She is responsible for building AI/ML models and products to enable automation and data-driven decisions, power a superior customer experience, and realize value for omnichannel international businesses across e-commerce, stores, supply chains, and merchandising. As recognized by senior technology leaders at Walmart, her work has enabled the company to proactively plan for changing demands in stores and online and optimize supply chain aspects, such as route optimization and labor planning.

Swati has 18+ years of experience in technology, leading data science, analytics, and engineering teams. She leads a team of 200+ data scientists and data engineers. Swati Kirti has been featured on CNBC for her impactful work on building AI products for Waste Management and sustainability in Walmart stores.

She holds an MBA from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Technology with a specialization in Electronics and Communication. Prior to WMT Global Tech, she worked in transportation, logistics, banking, and finance, developing AI-powered solutions that complement the experience and creativity of people to accelerate transformation.

Ms. Kirti is a member of the prestigious Forbes Technology Council and Analytics India Magazine, exclusive councils for technology and AI professionals selected based on their extraordinary accomplishments. Her knowledge and expertise have led to unprecedented successes and innovative solutions to complex challenges in this ever-growing field.

Among Swati’s significant contributions across multiple areas of Walmart's business, it’s important to highlight her remarkable work in AI-driven Waste Management. This product has revolutionized Walmart's sustainability goals by reducing waste in stores through the power of AI. By utilizing Generative AI, Swati and her team have created a predictive, proactive, and preventative waste management solution. This groundbreaking tool identifies waste reduction opportunities and key waste drivers, providing associates with actionable recommendations to minimize waste.

The AI-powered waste management solution simplifies the complex task of waste reduction. For instance, it identifies products nearing expiration or with minor blemishes, suggesting appropriate actions, such as lowering the price, relocating the item, returning it to the supplier, or even donating it. Moreover, the solution analyzes each item's contribution to waste in a specific store, considering factors like availability and seasonality. Armed with these invaluable insights, associates can make data-driven decisions to maximize impact.

Swati's waste management tool is not only effective but also user-friendly. The recommendations are presented through an easy-to-read dashboard powered by GenAI. This technology presents the information within the Walmart Associate App, ensuring accessibility and seamless integration into everyday operations.