Tesco is trialling an innovative AI assistant aimed at transforming how customers plan meals and manage their grocery shopping.
The supermarket has initially granted early access to approximately 280,000 employees, who will test the new tool, which is linked to their Clubcard purchase data.
Over the coming weeks, these colleagues will evaluate the assistant, providing crucial feedback and even suggesting names, before its anticipated launch to all customers later this year.
This internal testing phase is vital for refining the technology.
The AI assistant aims to simplify meal planning by offering a "natural, two-way dialogue to offer inspiration in the form of personalised recipe ideas”, while also considering individual dietary preferences.
Users will be able to search for meals based on cost or cuisine type, and even generate recipes using ingredients they already have at home.
Tesco states that the integration of Clubcard information will enable the assistant to intelligently suggest items customers might already possess in their cupboards or fridge.
This new feature will be seamlessly integrated into the Tesco app, forming part of a long-term strategy to expand its functionality. The goal is to assist customers with more aspects of their daily lives, providing a "genuinely intelligent, helpful shopping experience."
The supermarket giant revealed that its in-house teams have been collaborating with Tomoro AI, a UK-based consultancy founded in 2023 in alliance with OpenAI, on the assistant's development. This work has been conducted under "strict secrecy protocols" since last autumn.
Tesco also noted that AI has been "behind the scenes" of its operations, including its Clubcard loyalty programme, "for years" to "improve the overall shopping experience."
The retailer has doubled its technology team over the past five years and recently partnered with European AI start-up Mistral to further develop its AI capabilities.
Ken Murphy, Tesco chief executive, commented: "We want to give customers the best possible experience every time they shop with Tesco, and this assistant gives us one more way to help them and make their lives a little easier.
“In the long term, this assistant has the potential to transform the way people shop with us – harnessing the power of AI to personalise the shopping experience for our customers in ways that ultimately save them time and money.
“Nobody is better placed than our colleagues to help us get this experience right; they understand the customers and communities they serve, and we cannot wait to see how they help shape and improve the assistant in the months ahead."
