Just Eat is set to launch a talking ‘AI assistant’ on its UK app in a bid to speed up the ordering process and engage with younger shoppers.
The feature will begin appearing in early November to a random selection of app users and will be able to respond to voice and text instructions, The Times reported.
The AI assistant was built by an in-house tech team over the past three months, who will continue to make upgrades to the feature using customer feedback and “safeguarded” data.
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Just Eat said the AI assistant can place a favourite order when instructed, respond to questions about meal options and offer personalised recommendations based on previous orders and reviews.
Chief product officer, Jessica Hall, told the newspaper: “Customers don’t want to spend ages having to browse, and add things to baskets and press a million buttons. The fact that they can talk to their phone and say ‘I’d like a pizza’ and they can have it in half an hour is a great step forward.”
This comes as rival rapid food delivery company Uber Eats also revamped its UK app last month with the addition of an AI-powered conversational shopping experience.
This allows shoppers to chat with an ‘AI assistant’ to explore new dishes and cuisines, find restaurant deals and re-order their favourite meals.