Yelp's AI chatbot can now make your dinner reservation (www.engadget.com)

Yelp has significantly enhanced its AI capabilities by upgrading the Yelp Assistant, its AI chatbot, to now facilitate dinner reservations and other tasks across all business categories. Originally launched in 2024 with limited functions, the assistant saw expansions in 2025 and now utilizes natural language processing to understand and respond to customer queries about specific local businesses. This upgrade allows users not only to find places but also to complete actions like ordering takeout or making reservations, thanks to new integrations with services like Vagaro, ZocDoc, and Calendly. This development is vital for the AI/ML community as it showcases the growing trend of AI-powered customer service tools that streamline user experiences and operational efficiency for businesses. By introducing a dedicated Assistant tab in its mobile apps and plans for a desktop version, Yelp is positioning itself at the forefront of AI integration in service-oriented platforms. Additionally, upcoming features like a personalized homepage and enhanced photo discovery tools indicate Yelp's commitment to leveraging AI to improve user engagement and satisfaction.