Yelp’s AI assistant can now scan restaurant menus to show you what dishes look like

Yelp is set to roll out a series of exciting AI-driven enhancements aimed at revolutionizing how users interact with restaurant menus and local businesses. Among the standout features is an upgraded AI assistant capable of answering inquiries about various establishments, including restaurants, bars, and retail stores. This assistant can now scan physical menus, providing users with instant insights and visual representations of menu items. The company is also advancing its search capabilities, introducing natural language support for both text and voice queries. This means users can type or speak their questions in everyday language, making it easier than ever to discover what they need. In addition, Yelp is highlighting popular offerings across more than 100 business categories, showcasing trending services such as popular haircuts at salons or favorite dishes at restaurants. One particularly innovative feature allows diners to explore menu options using AI image recognition. By scanning a physical menu with their smartphone camera, users will see interactive bubbles appear over different dishes. Tapping a bubble reveals photos and reviews, creating a dynamic, visual way to select meals. Yelp's commitment to enhancing user experience doesn't stop there. The AI assistant is designed to remember user preferences, providing customized recommendations for future projects or dining choices. Furthermore, the platform is integrating pre-written questions based on common inquiries, streamlining the process for users. In response to the growing popularity of conversational search tools like ChatGPT, Yelp is also introducing AI-powered voice agents that can assist with reservations and manage customer inquiries. With features that include taking bookings and handling special requests, these tools aim to enhance the efficiency of service-oriented businesses. This fall, Yelp will also unveil additional features such as AI-generated video content that combines user photos with narrated information about various establishments. As the landscape of dining and service discovery evolves, Yelp is at the forefront of integrating AI technology to create a more engaging and user-friendly experience.