Strange places for AI: Yelp, Starbucks, Spotify & More
Contributed by Pia Mitchell, Marketing Producer
Welcome back to the latest edition of Quantious’ Tech Roundup, where you gain exclusive insights into the tech news you need to know to stay at the top of your game.
Today we’re covering Yelp’s AI chatbot for booking dinner plans, Starbucks’ ChatGPT app that helps customers pick their drinks, Spotify’s decision to sell books, Latitude’s platform for creating AI-powered RPGs, and a social media platform that defeats doomscrolling.
With our Tech Roundup, you can trust that you’re getting concise updates on just the news that matters most. Let’s get to it!
Seattle, we’re coming your way 👋
Quantious is headed to Product Marketing Alliance's Product Marketing Summit Seattle, and we’re not just attending, we have a booth!
If you’re a PMM looking to move beyond one-off launches and build a repeatable, scalable GTM engine, come find us.
Top Tech Highlights
Yelp's AI chatbot can now make your dinner reservation
Yelp is expanding its AI push with a more advanced Yelp Assistant that now works across all categories and can handle natural language searches, bookings, and orders. The update also adds third-party integrations and new discovery features, signaling a broader shift toward AI-powered, end-to-end user experiences on the platform.
Starbucks launches ChatGPT app to help customers discover their next drink
Starbucks is tapping into agentic AI with a ChatGPT-integrated app that helps customers discover and customize drinks based on mood, prompts, or even their outfit. It’s part of a broader trend of brands meeting consumers earlier in the decision journey, turning inspiration into action directly within conversational AI.
Spotify is selling books now
Spotify’s partnership with Bookshop.org brings physical book purchases into its app, positioning audiobooks as a companion rather than a replacement. The move supports indie bookstores while tapping into the enduring appeal of print, blending digital discovery with real-world ownership.
AI Dungeon maker Latitude unveils Voyage, a platform for creating AI-powered RPGs
Latitude’s new AI platform, Voyage, lets players become game designers by building fully customized RPG worlds with AI-generated mechanics, characters, and storylines. It pushes beyond gameplay into co-creation, turning users into architects of infinite, unscripted adventures.
Bond, a new social media platform, wants to use AI to help you kick your doomscrolling habit
Bond is positioning itself as an antidote to traditional social media, using AI to turn user posts into real-world activity suggestions rather than endless scrolling. It taps into growing screen fatigue by reframing social platforms as tools for inspiration and offline connection.
Defeating AI Brain Fry With Jess
With everything moving at lightning speed, ‘AI brain fry’ is VERY real, and very common. Recently, Marketing Producer Jess Beltran sat down to share more about the reality of AI brain fry, and some tips to combat it.
Haven’t seen her video yet? You can check it out here.
#SmartFastCurious
We’d love to hear from you! What would you like to see more of? What companies would you like to hear more about?
Join the conversation on Instagram and LinkedIn using #SmartFastCurious.
Brought to you by Quantious
Go Beyond with A Team That Gets Tech - And Gets Things Done.
At Quantious, we don’t just support your team—we amplify it. Our enablement services clear bottlenecks, bridge departmental gaps, and enhance efficiency so you can move from big ideas to real impact—without the friction. Whether you need strategic execution, seamless integration, or expert hands-on support, we ensure your marketing shines, and your results speak for themselves.
Less stress, more momentum. Let’s talk about how Quantious can help your team work smarter and deliver faster. Schedule a conversation today.
Receive this from a friend? Subscribe here to get the Roundup sent directly to your inbox!
