In the beginning, collecting takeaways was the epitome of a lazy night out. Then delivery apps saved some more energy. Now, consumers can even skip the bother of reading the menu as AI takes over the job of choosing the perfect evening meal.
Just Eat is introducing an AI voice assistant that lets customers discuss what they might be interested in eating, and then provides personalized recommendations.
The food delivery company is launching a “personal food concierge” within Just Eat’s existing chat function on its UK app on Tuesday.
The voice assistant is designed to understand whatever culinary wishes the customer is trying to ask, even this one “Playful Stream of Consciousness”.
“No matter how you ask, you’ll get what you want,” the company said. “The Assistant cuts through noise to deliver accurate, meaningful answers.”
Just Eat said the app age has created such an overwhelming number of takeaway options for consumers that they now face the dilemma of “choice overload”.
“(It’s) designed to make decisions like, ‘What’s for dinner?’ More intuitive than ever before,’ the company said. “With the addition of conversational capabilities, it streamlines the checkout process and provides tailored recommendations based on actual interactions.”
The chatbot can communicate in dozens of languages and its pronunciation can be personalized.
Just Eat said the voice-activated AI assistant “significantly enhances” the ordering experience for users with mobility or vision impairments.
“This custom-built conversational assistant represents a huge step forward, making our service more intuitive and accessible,” said Mert Oztekin, Chief Technology Officer of Just Eat. “We’re harnessing the power of AI to empower everyday convenience across our network.”
Just Eat is launching a new AI assistant in the UK, ahead of a wider international rollout later this year.
The AI assistant can also be used to ask for recommendations from 100,000 partners in the retail, pharmacy and beauty sectors that are available through the Just Eat app.
The company, which operates in 16 countries, has partnered with brands including Superdrug, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose and electronics retailer CeX.
Research conducted last year by media and telecoms regulator Ofcom found that 38% of households with smart speakers used them to find answers to questions.
In 2024, Just Eat delisted from the London Stock Exchange citing the cost of its shares, low liquidity and trading volume.
A few weeks ago, Europe’s largest food delivery company announced the sale of its US arm, GrubHub, at a significant loss, just four years after buying the US app in a £5.8 billion deal.
The company, which also gave up the US Nasdaq listing it inherited with the GrubHub deal, remains listed on the Euronext market in Amsterdam, where the company is headquartered.
