Instacart's AI chatbot soft launch has shoppers buzzing

Instacart is rolling out its new artificial-intelligence chatbot through the widely popular AI program ChatGPT, but don’t expect to jump on and start creating computer-generated shopping lists just yet—those interested in using the new tech must get on a waitlist.  

The so-called ChatGPT plugin works in connection with Instacart’s mobile app and, after entering a few prompts, enables users to automatically create recipes, shopping lists and more based on the AI’s recommendations.  

JJ Zhuang, chief architect at Instacart, explained in a blog post that the new service allows shoppers “to express their needs in natural language, with Instacart’s ability to make those needs instantly shoppable.” 

While it’s still unknown when the plugin will be available to the general public—the delivery service tech company says it will be online sometime later this year—but users given a sneak peek are already reporting positive results from the new technology.   

A video in Zhuang’s post shows a user making the simple inquiry, “I want to make a Mexican dish for dinner. Do you have any suggestions?” To which ChatGPT replies: “Here’s a simple fish taco recipe for you to try.” The app then lists the ingredients and a recipe to prepare the dish.  

The app then suggests turning the recipe ingredients into a shopping list for delivery. “You can choose the store you shop from, make changes and order everything you need,” the AI chatbot explains.  

Zhuang notes in his blog post that users will also be able to tell the chatbot what ingredients they already have and then find out what else they’ll need to make a dish. For instance, a user could tell the chatbot: “I have chicken and pasta. What’s a kid-friendly meal I can make, and what else do I need?”  

They can also ask for instruction and recipes like, “How do I make a carrot cake?” Zhuang said. He added that those using the app will not be able to ask questions unrelated to food and shopping.  

Those interested in getting early access to the plugin can sign up to get on the waitlist at chat.openai.com. Once users are given access, the Instacart carrot logo will appear next to the “enabled plugins” section on ChatGPT. 

“Once you can see the plugin logo, try asking ChatGPT about open-ended meal questions (‘What can I make for dinner?’); ingredient, time-based or dietary restriction-based meal ideas (‘What’s an easy recipe for veggie stir-fry that I can make in less than 20 minutes?’); or inspiration for a specific type of food (‘Give me a recipe for vegan lasagna.’), Zhuang explained in the blog post. “From there, you’ll be able to see suggestions from ChatGPT and add all of the necessary ingredients to your Instacart cart, allowing you to create an Instacart order in a new browser window and get everything delivered to your door in as fast as an hour.” 

Tech writer Ammaar Reshi wrote about his experience ordering groceries through the Instacart plugin and appeared on the popular tech-focused The All-In Podcast. On Reshi’s Twitter feed, he gave a glowing for the service, saying it “worked so well!” Reshi added that the order stayed within his budget, accounted for his schedule and diet, and provided ingredients and recipes for seven meals.