AI companies want agents to handle your everyday errands—but Uber, DoorDash, and Airbnb say barely anyone is using them for that
From Meta’s fluffy Muse to OpenAI’s onigiri-shaped Dots, AI companies have rolled out agents they promise will help people cross things off their to-do lists, whether that’s booking a trip, ordering food, or shopping online. But the companies that provide those services are reporting consumers haven’t yet flocked to use those agents to buy on their behalf.
TL;DR
- Third-party AI agents from companies like Meta and OpenAI are seeing very low adoption for transactions on platforms like Uber, DoorDash, and Airbnb.
- Executives from these companies suggest that tasks like ordering food or booking rides are already simple and quick, reducing the perceived need for AI automation.
- Users may prefer to manually perform tasks or are hesitant to trust AI agents with sensitive information and decision-making.
- Uber, DoorDash, and Airbnb are developing their own AI-powered features to improve user experience and streamline services, such as AI-assisted list building for groceries or personalized trip planning.
- Companies are open to future discussions and potential partnerships with third-party AI agents, viewing them as another avenue to reach their customer base.