Ele.me is ramping up its use of artificial intelligence across operations, as the Alibaba-backed food delivery platform looks to sharpen its edge in China’s fiercely competitive local services market.

The company is embedding AI into multiple touchpoints—including store management, order processing, and elderly user support—in a push to boost speed, accuracy, and inclusivity.

One of Ele.me’s key tools is its AI-driven store management system. The software helps merchants forecast demand and manage inventory more efficiently, which could reduce food waste and improve fulfillment rates. By analyzing real-time order data and location-based consumption patterns, the system aims to help vendors prepare the right products at the right time.

Ele.me is also using AI to streamline order processing. The platform’s algorithm automates parts of the fulfillment workflow to minimize human error and speed up dispatch. Faster, more reliable deliveries could help the company retain users after the current wave of subsidy-driven growth begins to taper off.

To better serve seniors—an often underserved segment in tech—Ele.me has rolled out accessibility-focused AI features. These include voice-activated tools and simplified interfaces that help elderly users place orders, even with vague or dialect-specific commands. The move reflects a broader industry trend as companies seek to design more inclusive digital experiences for aging populations.

With rivals also racing to deploy AI across logistics and consumer interfaces, Ele.me’s rollout is being closely watched. The platform’s ability to integrate large-model capabilities from Alibaba’s tech ecosystem could give it a unique advantage in the evolving food delivery landscape.

🔗 Source: Sina

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Asian food delivery market acceleration driving AI arms race

Ele.me’s AI push reflects the explosive growth forecast for the Asian food delivery market, which is expected to account for 71% of the global market expansion through 2028 1.

With the overall online food delivery market projected to grow by $559.2 billion between 2024-2028 at a CAGR of 34.65%, companies are adopting advanced technologies to remain competitive 1.

The AI market specifically in food and beverages is expected to reach $9.68 billion in 2024 and grow to nearly $49 billion by 2029, making these investments a strategic necessity rather than optional enhancements 2.

Ele.me’s moves mirror industry-wide trends where major platforms are integrating AI across multiple operational areas to gain competitive advantages in efficiency and customer experience.

In the highly fragmented Asian market, where numerous players compete for market share, AI implementation has become a critical differentiator rather than merely a technological experiment.

2️⃣ AI delivery applications extending far beyond basic efficiency gains

Ele.me’s AI implementation reflects a broader industry trend where food delivery platforms are using AI for sophisticated demand forecasting based on historical ordering patterns, weather conditions, and local events 3.

Recent Ele.me developments