Uber Eats Is Giving You a Taste of AI With These New App Features

Artificial intelligence features are popping up everywhere. From how you search the web to your photo editing skills, bots are probably a part of your day-to-day life. Now Uber Eats wants a bite.

The food delivery service, powered by ride-share comoany Uber, shared a statement on Thursday about the rollout of AI features for restaurants and customers. A few of the updates bring Uber Eats in closer competition with DoorDash, which already has a few of Uber Eats’ new features. 

AI won’t control every part of your ordering and delivery experience, but you can expect to se some changes. Here’s what we know.

AI features for Uber Eats restaurants

There are a few features that restaurants may find helpful. Uber Eats will use AI to summarize customer reviews for restaurants to understand customer feedback, create menu descriptions and enhance low-quality images of their dishes. 

Uber Eats says merchants will be able to review and approve any content before it appears on the app. 

AI features for Uber Eats customers 

Aside from features for restaurants, Uber Eats is introducing a few features for customers. You’ll be able to take a photo of your dish to use if the restaurant doesn’t have a photo for it yet. In exchange, you may get Uber Cash if your photo is chosen. 

This applies to US, Canada, Mexico and UK customers, and only for select dishes. US customers can get $3 in Uber Cash per chosen photo. 

Usually, customers will need to communicate with Uber Eats, instead of the restaurant, for any issues. Now, Uber Eats’ new AI live order chat will let the restaurant directly communicate with customers once the order is received. The goal is to prevent any order or delivery issues before they arise — such as special requests or allergy preferences. 

These AI features are available now via the Uber Eats app for both merchants and customers.