WMT Reportedly Caps Employee AI Usage — Stock Down Nearly 2%

• Walmart is now allocating a fixed number of AI ‘tokens’ per employee for its Code Puppy assistant, replacing unlimited access.
• This highlights the rising computing costs companies face as workers increasingly rely on AI tools for daily tasks.
• Despite the restrictions, Walmart continues to expand AI use across its business, from employee productivity to supply-chain and customer-facing operations.

Walmart (WMT) is reportedly placing limits on employee use of an artificial intelligence tool after demand exceeded expectations, highlighting the challenges companies face as AI adoption accelerates across the workplace.

At the time of writing on Monday, shares of the retail giant were down 1.74%.

WMT Shifts From Unlimited To Capped AI Access

Walmart is now offering a fixed amount of “tokens” for employees using Code Puppy, an in-house AI assistant designed to help with tasks such as creating presentations, analyzing spreadsheets and handling other workplace functions, reported Bloomberg. The change marks a shift from the previous system, which allowed unrestricted use of the tool.

Code Puppy was developed as part of Walmart’s broader effort to integrate artificial intelligence into day-to-day operations and improve productivity. Employees also have access to third-party AI platforms, including Claude and ChatGPT, the report said.

A Walmart spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company is focused on helping employees use AI in ways that deliver meaningful results. The spokesperson added that Walmart is providing guidance and training to ensure workers choose the most appropriate AI tools for different tasks.

Companies Balance AI Adoption With Rising Costs

As companies adopt AI more widely, many are discovering that the costs can add up quickly, especially when employees use the tools extensively.

Uber (UBER) reportedly burned through its entire 2026 AI budget by April after the adoption of Anthropic's Claude Code spread much faster than expected among roughly 5,000 engineers. The company's chief technology officer told The Information that Uber is now reassessing its assumptions around AI spending.

Microsoft (MSFT) has also reportedly scaled back some AI offerings as companies look for ways to manage costs.

At the same time, some companies are encouraging employees to use AI more frequently. UnitedHealth (UNH) is reportedly tracking AI usage among certain employees as part of a broader effort to embed the technology across its business.

Starbucks (SBUX) has gone a step further, reportedly linking a portion of tech workers’ bonuses to their use of AI as it seeks to improve efficiency.

WMT Stock: What Stocktwits Retail Sentiment Says

Retail sentiment on Stocktwits for WMT turned “extremely bullish” on Monday from “bullish” a day earlier, while message volume during the same period has remained “high.”

WMT stock has gained a little over 15% in the past 12 months. 

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