By Grace Alvino
Publication Date: 2026-05-08 01:25:00
When investors think about artificial intelligence (AI), technology stocks usually come to mind.
That makes sense. Software companies, chipmakers, data centers and cloud platforms are the obvious beneficiaries.
But I think there’s another group of companies worth watching: large companies that already have customers, data, scale and the ability to use AI to improve the way they work.
I think an ASX bluechip fits this description Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX:WES).
Image source: Getty Images
A different kind of AI opportunity
Wesfarmers is not an AI stock in the usual sense.
It is best known for Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, Priceline and its industrial and chemical operations. That makes it look more like a retail and industrial conglomerate than a technology company.
But I think that’s what makes the opportunity interesting.
Wesfarmers has millions of customer interactions across its businesses. It has large branch networks, large supply chains, digital platforms, loyalty…
