Expanding Opportunities in AI Voice Ordering
In a move to enhance its capabilities in the food space, AI voice company SoundHound has acquired Allset, a food-ordering platform. SoundHound, known for its voice recognition and generative AI models, provides voice assistant technology for various industries, including restaurants, automotive systems, and smart home devices. The acquisition of Allset brings in additional expertise and technology that allows consumers to order food and other goods through natural language.
The Integration of Allset’s Expertise
With the acquisition of Allset, SoundHound gains access to a team of professionals experienced in the food industry. Allset’s founders, Stas Mativiyenko and Anna Polischuk, along with their staff, will join SoundHound. This integration will enable SoundHound to leverage Allset’s partnerships with restaurants, expanding its network and reach in the food ordering space. Additionally, Allset’s restaurant partners will now have access to SoundHound’s AI voice products, opening up new possibilities for them to enhance customer experiences.
The Shift in Customer-Facing AI for Fast Food Brands
The acquisition comes at a time when fast food brands are reevaluating their use of customer-facing AI technologies. McDonald’s recently paused its project with IBM, which aimed to use AI for automated order-taking in drive-thrus. This decision was made after a series of ordering mishaps were documented on social media. The incident underscores the importance of effective and reliable AI solutions in the fast food industry.
The Role of Generative AI in Customer Service
The use of generative AI in customer service has been a focus for fast food chains in recent years. Wendy’s, for example, collaborates with Google on its FreshAI platform, which utilizes AI voice recognition and natural language processing to understand customer orders in drive-thrus. By leveraging AI technology, fast food chains aim to improve customer service and streamline the ordering process. McDonald’s executives, before pausing their AI order-taking project, highlighted the use of AI for foresight and data analytics, indicating the potential for AI to revolutionize various aspects of the industry.
The Future of Voice Ordering
SoundHound’s acquisition of Allset signifies the growing importance of voice ordering in the food industry. By combining their respective technologies and expertise, SoundHound and Allset aim to provide dynamic and convenient ways for people to order food and complete transactions using natural language. As voice assistants become increasingly prevalent in cars, TVs, and smart devices, the ability to order food seamlessly through voice commands will likely become a standard feature. This acquisition positions SoundHound at the forefront of this emerging trend, enabling them to offer innovative solutions to their customers.
In conclusion, the acquisition of Allset by SoundHound paves the way for exciting developments in AI voice ordering. With a focus on improving customer experiences and streamlining the ordering process, this partnership has the potential to reshape the fast food industry. By leveraging generative AI and natural language processing, SoundHound and Allset are poised to revolutionize the way people order food and complete transactions using voice commands. As technology continues to advance, voice ordering is set to become an integral part of our everyday lives.