Yelp’s just dropped a game-changer for restaurants, and it’s all about AI. Imagine never missing a customer call again—thanks to their new AI-powered answering service. It’s smart, too. Booking tables? Handling waitlists? Even shouting out today’s specials? Check, check, and check. And the best part? It’s fully customizable, so it fits like a glove for every unique spot out there.
Craig Saldanha, Yelp’s product guru, spills the beans: this isn’t just about tech for tech’s sake. It’s about making life easier for users and building trust, all while keeping things transparent. The system’s brains are fed by real data—what people actually do and what businesses really need. Spam calls? Gone. Missed messages? Not on its watch. But here’s the kicker: in a world where hospitality’s all about that personal touch, can AI really keep up? Or are we risking the soul of service for the sake of efficiency?
For diners, it’s a no-brainer. Faster service, instant answers—what’s not to love? But the real test? Seeing if this tech can play nice with the messy, human world of eating out. As Yelp rolls out these updates (including a slicker Guest Manager and a fresh Guest Experience Survey), everyone’s watching. Will AI be the silent host of tomorrow, or is there a line we just won’t cross when it comes to letting algorithms take the wheel?
