DoorDash has just announced the launch of its new “Ask DoorDash” conversational AI chatbot, that uses text prompts and photos to build grocery carts and recommend custom restaurant orders.
The new tool allows customers to order food, shop for groceries, and even book restaurant tables using everyday language, web links, and smartphone photos.
“We’ve spent over a decade building an app that puts everything in the city at your fingertips, but more options shouldn’t mean more work,” said Andy Fang, co-founder of DoorDash. “Now you can search DoorDash in your own words to find exactly what you want.”
The chatbot relies heavily on generative AI and agentic technology. Instead of tapping through traditional categories, filtering by cuisine type, or swiping through pre-set promotional carousels, users can type complex, specific prompts.
For example, a parent could type: “Show me spots that are kid-friendly and vegetarian, nothing too spicy, with a filling dinner for a family of four.” The chatbot will instantly parse nearby restaurant data, look at the user’s order history to gauge personal taste preferences, and deliver a tailored list of recommendations in seconds.
Beyond simply finding a restaurant, the AI can actually build the final transaction. If a user tells the bot what they want, it will assemble a custom cart. Consumers can then review the suggested items, swap out specific brands, adjust quantities, and head straight to checkout.
The grocery shopping features are equally advanced, introducing a unique photo-recognition tool. If you are flipping through an old family cookbook or looking at a handwritten note, you can simply snap a picture of the recipe or shopping list and upload it to the chatbot. The software reads the text, figures out the correct ingredients and quantities needed, and builds a grocery cart from your preferred local supermarket.
DoorDash says seven out of ten users who interact with the tool are using it for direct food recommendations, while the remaining interactions focus on tracking deals, customer support, or general questions.
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