Can’t decide on a food delivery? Just Eat launches AI chatbot to help you choose
In the beginning, collecting a takeaway was the epitome of a lazy night in.Then delivery apps saved some more energy.Now, consumers can skip even bothering to read the menu as AI takes over the job of choosing the perfect evening meal.Just Eat is introducing an AI voice assistant that lets customers discuss what they might be interested in eating, and then offers personalised recommendations.The food delivery company is launching what it calls a “personal food concierge” within Just Eat’s existing chat function on its UK app on Tuesday.
The voice assistant has been designed to understand whatever culinary desires customers are trying to ask, even if it is a “rambling stream of consciousness”.“No matter how you ask, you get exactly what you’re craving,” the company said.“The assistant cuts through the noise to deliver accurate, meaningful answers.”For example, if a user were to say to the AI assistant that they felt like something “a bit sweet and a bit sour” at breakfast time, suggestions would include bacon-wrapped dates, chicken and waffles and a selection of sweet and sour baked goods.If asked around lunch or dinner time, the AI assistant would suggest items such as Hawaiian pizza and sweet and sour pork.
Just Eat said the app era had aggregated such an overwhelming number of takeaway options for consumers to consider that they now faced the dilemma of “choice overload”.“[This is] designed to make deciding ‘what’s for dinner?’ more intuitive than ever before,” the company said.“With the addition of conversational abilities, it streamlines the checkout process and offers tailored recommendations based on genuine interaction.”The chatbot can communicate in dozens of languages and its accent can be personalised.Just Eat said the voice-activated AI assistant also “significantly enhances” the ordering experience for users with mobility or visual impairments.
“This custom-built conversational assistant represents a major step forward, making our service more intuitive and accessible,” said Mert Öztekin, the chief technology officer at Just Eat,“We are harnessing the power of AI to empower everyday convenience across our entire network,”Just Eat is launching the AI assistant in the UK first, before a wider international rollout during this year,The AI assistant can also be used to ask for recommendations from the 100,000 partners in the retail, pharmacy and beauty sectors that are available through the Just Eat app,The company, which operates in 16 countries, has partnerships with brands including Superdrug, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose and the electronics retailer CeX.
Research conducted by Ofcom, the media and telecoms regulator, last year found that 38% of homes with smart speakers used them to seek answers to questions,In 2024, Just Eat delisted from the London Stock Exchange, citing the costs, low liquidity and trading volume of its shares,Weeks earlier, it had announced the sale of its US arm, Grubhub, at a considerable loss only four years after buying the US app in a £5,8bn deal,The company, which also ditched the US Nasdaq listing it inherited with the Grubhub deal, also de-listed from Euronext in Amsterdam after it was acquired for €4.
1bn (£3.4bn) by the internet investor Prosus last February.
Australian Open 2026 quarter-finals: Alcaraz hammers De Minaur, Svitolina destroys Gauff – as it happened
Here’s Jack’s report…Righto, Jack Snape’s report will be in here and on-site shortly, but otherwise, we’ll see you tomorrow at 12.30am GMT for Rybakina v Swiatek.Fear not, though, we’ve got you in the meantime – there’s football tonight, and for now, Joe Root and Harry Brook are on fire in Sri Lanka.Otherwise, though, peace out.There’ve been precious few tight matches in this year’s Australian Open and day 10 offered more of the same
The Breakdown | So much at stake and Six Nations just the start in ‘massive year for rugby union’
On the surface it was business at usual at this year’s Six Nations launch in a chilly Edinburgh. Had the city’s most famous literary sleuth poked his nose into the venue at the top of the Royal Mile, Inspector Rebus would have clocked the usual suspects: head coaches trying not to divulge any secrets, captains quietly studying their opposite numbers and content creators seeking to “jazz up” their tournament previews.This year’s booby prize went to the “influencer” who asked Caelan Doris, Ireland’s captain, whether or not he liked Fabien Galthié’s thick-rimmed glasses. It was almost on a par with the Breakdown’s all-time classic: the day someone asked Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, to pick his favourite motorway service station. “Taunton Deane,” came the instant reply
The Joy of Six: unlikely Winter Olympics stars
From a cult hero ski jumper, to African bobsleigh pioneers and more, here are half a dozen unexpected heroesMichael “Eddie the Eagle” Edwards, was the antithesis of the Olympic high-flyer. Heavily disadvantaged by his 82kg (181lb) weight – far heavier than his rivals – poor eyesight and the small matter of being entirely self-funded, he became Great Britain’s first Olympic ski jumper. He finished 67th and last at the 1987 world championships but managed to hit the qualifying standard to secure the sole British spot for Calgary. At the Games, he finished last in the normal hill (70m) and large hill (90m) events. In the normal hill, he scored 69
Zverev survives Tien challenge, Sabalenka through to semis – as it happened
But that’s about all that’s needed from me this arvo.I’ve been Joey Lynch been a lot of fun bringing you all the updates as Aryna Sabalenka (1) and Alexander Zverev (3) moved into the final four here at a sweltering Australian Open. Be sure to check back in here at the Guardian for all the updates from the evening sessions.Toodles.Tien exits Rod Laver Arena to rapturous cheers from the crowd
Australian Open insulates tennis from extreme heat but still faces million-dollar hit
Tens of thousands of tennis fans are expected to stay away from the Australian Open on Tuesday as temperatures climb above 40C, but the Melbourne Park grand slam has largely been able to insulate itself – physically and commercially – from the effects of extreme heat.The daytime attendance for the heat-affected Saturday was 51,048, down more than 10,000 compared with the previous and following days, and an even greater decline is expected on Tuesday given widespread publicity of the Victorian heatwave. Sales of $35 ground passes have been slow and queues at security appeared shorter than usual shortly after gates opened at 9am.Those who do attend are also less likely to spend as long at the precinct. On Saturday, Melbourne Park was largely empty when play resumed shortly after 7pm, leaving food and beverage vendors twiddling their thumbs at dinnertime when they would usually be run off their feet
Shedeur Sanders set to better father Deion by reportedly making Pro Bowl as rookie
Shedeur Sanders will reportedly become a Pro Bowler in his rookie season as a replacement for Drake Maye.ESPN reported on Monday that the Cleveland Browns rookie has bettered his Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, who was drafted in 1989 but had to wait until 1991 to receive the first of his eight trips to the Pro Bowl.Maye dropped out after the New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday to reach next month’s Super Bowl.Sanders’s inclusion will raise eyebrows. The Browns went 3-4 in games he started and he completed just 56
‘It could be a shoe or a stick’: Sajid Javid on being beaten by his father, petty crime – and turning his life around
Burnham will try again for Westminster return but declines offer of seat in 2027
Tories criticised over claim Braverman defected to Reform after ‘mental health’ issues
Greens launch major push for Gorton and Denton after Burnham blocked
Tories withdraw ‘mental health’ briefing about Suella Braverman after former Tory home secretary joins Reform – UK politics live
Tories say mental health claim about Suella Braverman was ‘sent out in error’