Instacart, Shipt launch AI-powered shopping assistants
The companies’ new marketplace tools can build grocery carts based on a conversation with a customer or an uploaded photo.
Shipt, the same-day delivery service operated by Target, has introduced an AI-powered shopping assistant called “Ask Shipt.” The new tool aims to streamline the shopping process by allowing customers to describe their needs in natural language, which the assistant then converts into a customized cart of items. This marks Shipt as the latest in a series of delivery apps incorporating AI assistants, joining the ranks of competitors like Instacart, Uber Eats, and DoorDash.
Users can interact with Ask Shipt by verbally requesting specific shopping scenarios, such as preparing a cart for a large gathering or assembling a week's worth of school lunches. The assistant also leverages visual inputs, enabling users to upload photos of food items to identify and add all necessary ingredients to the cart. Furthermore, customers can request recipe ideas based on their budget constraints, like creating a delicious weeknight meal for a family of five for under $35.
The launch of Ask Shipt complements other recent AI enhancements on Target's online platform, including AI-driven photo search, customer review summaries, and personalized shopping suggestions. Shipt has made the assistant available to users both within the Shipt app and on the Shipt.com website.
Written by urgent.news from TechCrunch's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
