Why Almost Nobody Uses AI Agents to Book an Uber, Company Says | TechCrunch
Few bookings came through agents
Uber shared the figures during its third-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. In the busiest week of October, which included Halloween, AI agents arranged only four rides on the platform.
Fast app bookings limit appeal
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi described the current level of agent use as very limited and said the company hopes it will grow. He nevertheless views AI agents as a potential source of additional demand for Uber’s services.
Khosrowshahi said customers take an average of 50 seconds to book a ride in Uber’s app. Ordering a familiar meal again takes about 90 seconds, leaving little time for an agent to save in those cases.
Broader agent use remains nascent
The low transaction count comes as interest in task-performing AI agents grows. Startups such as Instinct, along with products from Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and SpaceXAI, are entering the market; Meta has said users of its Muse app shop and transact with businesses.
Other companies have also reported modest activity. DoorDash said it had received a few hundred orders from AI agents, while most customers continued to use its app. Khosrowshahi said there are about eight major AI assistants now and expects the number to rise above 10.
Key points
- AI agents booked four Uber rides and 500 Uber Eats orders during Halloween week.
- Uber handled about 320 million combined trips and orders that week.
- Booking a ride in Uber’s app takes an average of 50 seconds.
- DoorDash also reported only a few hundred orders from AI agents.