Yelp, a site that connects customers with local businesses, has introduced new AI features allowing users to make reservations with an AI chatbot over the phone.
The firm has introduced more than 35 new features designed to make customer discoveries faster, more visual and conversational.
The update also includes an expansion of Yelp Assistant, the company’s AI chatbot, which can now answer any question about a restaurant, bar, shop or local attraction directly on business pages.
Plus, users can try Menu Vision, a new feature that reveals photos and reviews of dishes when a phone camera is pointed at a menu.
It is also rolling out AI-powered call-handling services — Yelp Host for restaurants and Yelp Receptionist for local businesses — to answer customer queries and even make reservations on the restaurant’s behalf.
“This release is a significant leap forward in Yelp’s AI transformation,” said Craig Saldanha, Yelp’s chief product officer. “We’re making Yelp conversational and removing friction for both consumers and businesses.”
