Uber Discloses Minimal AI Agent Usage: ~500 Orders and 4 Rides Last Week Amid Partnership Talks
Uber reported that external AI agents facilitated only about 500 food orders and 4 rides last week, a tiny fraction of its 320 million total transactions, while CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed ongoing negotiations with AI firms.
US ride-hailing and food delivery giant Uber disclosed specific metrics regarding the usage of external AI agents during its third-quarter earnings call on November 4 (local time). Chief Financial Officer Balaji Krishnamurthy stated that in the week including Halloween, approximately 500 Uber Eats orders and just 4 vehicle rides were initiated through external AI agents. During the same period, the platform recorded roughly 320 million total transactions across rides and deliveries. This indicates that AI-agent-driven transactions currently account for an extremely small share, estimated at roughly one per 630,000 total interactions.
Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized that these figures represent the very early stages of AI agent integration into consumer services. He revealed that nearly all major AI companies have approached Uber, and the two sides are currently negotiating transaction terms. Khosrowshahi views external AI agents as an additional channel to reach the Uber platform, potentially driving net growth in demand. However, he firmly stated that Uber will not abandon the direct user access path via its own app. Citing his experience in the online travel industry, he warned against over-reliance on external platforms like Google, reiterating Uber's policy to avoid dependence on any single operator.
In parallel with managing external partnerships, Uber is enhancing its internal AI capabilities. Early indicators suggest that the 'Cart Assistant' feature in Uber Eats, which helps users build their shopping carts, results in average order values twice as high as standard orders. The company is also developing AI assistants for order processing and drivers. Uber's strategy aims to balance openness to external AI agents with the strengthening of its native AI experience, navigating the emerging trend of agentic commerce while maintaining control over its primary user interface.