Yelp rolls out AI-powered calls to check restaurant wait times and personalized suggestions

Yelp announced a new suite of artificial‑intelligence tools embedded in its mobile app, the most visible of which lets the platform place a phone call to a restaurant on a user’s behalf to ask about current wait times.

The service uses natural‑language processing and voice synthesis to conduct a brief conversation with the establishment, then returns the estimated seating delay to the diner, eliminating the need to sit on hold.

Beyond the call feature, Yelp is expanding its recommendation engine. The AI now remembers a user’s past likes, dietary preferences and price range to generate customized lists of venues, aiming to cut down the time spent scrolling through generic reviews.

The addition reflects a broader trend of consumer apps adopting generative AI for routine tasks. While Google Maps and OpenTable have experimented with voice‑based queries, Yelp’s approach is distinctive for actually initiating phone calls to restaurants.

Analysts suggest the functionality could boost user engagement, particularly among younger consumers who expect instant information. At the same time, privacy concerns are likely to surface, as the service must manage user data and potentially record interactions with third‑party businesses.

Yelp has said the tools will debut in U.S. markets later this year, with a phased rollout that will incorporate user feedback. The industry will be watching to see whether the AI‑driven features help the platform retain its foothold in the competitive restaurant‑discovery space.