Yelp has developed a new feature that utilizes AI to create short, engaging videos from user-submitted photos, video clips, and reviews. This innovative approach is designed to enhance the dining experience for users by providing a visual overview of restaurants and other attractions directly from their Yelp app home feed.
The system, which began testing last year, integrates user-generated content to produce automatically generated videos. For instance, tapping an appealing restaurant on the app may trigger a video showcasing a mix of curated user content, complete with an AI voiceover introducing the eatery’s highlights. One such example features an Italian restaurant, Cesarina, highlighting its menu items in a sequence that includes both desserts and main dishes, albeit in a somewhat unusual order.
While exciting, the feature currently does not allow users to opt-out of having their content featured in these AI-generated videos. Additionally, viewers have the means to report any video that they find inappropriate or inaccurate, ensuring that user feedback can help refine the AI’s output.
This initiative not only aims to provide patrons with quick insights into various venues but could also encourage increased foot traffic to the highlighted restaurants, benefiting businesses and users alike. For those who enjoy sharing their dining experiences, this new function could make their contributions more impactful.