Struggling with menu choices? Just Eat introduces AI chatbot to assist with selecting food delivery options.

Initially, the act of collecting a takeaway represented the pinnacle of a relaxed night in, requiring minimal effort. However, with the advent of delivery apps, the effort required was further diminished. Today, consumers can even bypass the need to browse menus, as AI technology takes over the task of selecting an ideal meal for the evening.

In an exciting development, Just Eat is launching an AI voice assistant designed to facilitate conversations about food preferences, ultimately providing tailored meal suggestions based on customer responses.

This innovative “personal food concierge” feature will debut within Just Eat’s existing chat interface on its UK app starting Tuesday.

This voice assistant is adept at interpreting a wide range of culinary inquiries from customers, even if they express themselves in what might be perceived as a “rambling stream of consciousness”.

According to Just Eat, “No matter how you ask, you get exactly what you’re craving.” The assistant is designed to eliminate irrelevant information, delivering precise and useful responses.

Just Eat pointed out that the app-driven era has resulted in a staggering number of takeaway choices, leading to a phenomenon known as “choice overload” among consumers.

“[This is] designed to make deciding ‘what’s for dinner?’ more intuitive than ever before,” the company stated. “With enhanced conversational capabilities, it simplifies the checkout experience while providing personalized recommendations based on genuine interactions with users.”

The AI-powered chatbot is capable of communicating in numerous languages, and users can even customize the assistant’s accent.

Furthermore, Just Eat highlighted that this voice-activated AI assistant significantly improves the ordering experience for those with mobility or visual impairments.

Mert Öztekin, Just Eat’s chief technology officer, remarked, “This custom-built conversational assistant represents a major step forward, making our service more intuitive and accessible. We are harnessing the power of AI to provide everyday convenience across our entire network.”

Initially, Just Eat is releasing this new AI assistant in the UK, with plans for a more extensive international rollout throughout the year.

In addition to food, the AI assistant can also provide suggestions from Just Eat’s extensive network of over 100,000 partners in retail, pharmacy, and beauty sectors, all accessible via the app.

Operating across 16 countries, Just Eat has established partnerships with well-known brands such as Superdrug, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, and the electronics retailer CeX.

Last year, Ofcom, the media and telecoms regulator, found that 38% of households with smart speakers utilized them to seek answers to queries.

In a significant move, Just Eat announced in 2024 that it will delist from the London Stock Exchange due to factors such as costs, low liquidity, and trading volume challenges.

Just weeks prior, the company, which is Europe’s largest meal delivery service, confirmed the sale of its US division, GrubHub, at a substantial loss, just four years after acquiring the US app for £5.8 billion.

Although the company has relinquished its US Nasdaq listing connected to the GrubHub acquisition, it continues to be listed on the Euronext market in Amsterdam, where its headquarters is located.