Uber just revealed on its Q3 earnings call that out of roughly 320 million trips and orders during Halloween week, only four rides were booked via AI agents, with Uber Eats logging just 500. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi noted app booking takes just 50 seconds anyway, delivering a reality check to the agentic web hype.
Uber Eats just rolled out generative AI features that draft menu descriptions, summarize diner feedback, and digitally touch up or re-plate low-quality food photos. To balance out overly polished AI images, the app is also paying diners in-app credits to upload their own raw food pictures when leaving reviews.
Uber and Waymo just launched autonomous food delivery across the Phoenix metro area using Waymo's self-driving cars. Uber Eats customers within the 225-square-mile zone may be matched with an autonomous vehicle, with instructions to unlock the trunk using their phone—though they can still opt for a human courier at checkout.
Uber Eats is reportedly working on an in-app AI chatbot to speed up food ordering. Discovered inside the app's hidden code, the assistant will ask users about their budget and food preferences to recommend meals and place orders. Uber confirmed the development, though a launch date remains unannounced.
