Uber Reveals AI Agents Barely Make a Dent: Just 504 Orders and Rides Against 320 Million Weekly Transactions — ‘Very, Very Early and Very Limited Traction’

Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:UBER) revealed that artificial intelligence agents generated just 504 orders and rides during Halloween week, compared with approximately 320 million trips across its platforms, highlighting how little autonomous AI has penetrated everyday consumer services.

Uber And DoorDash Report Limited AI Adoption

During Wednesday’s third-quarter earnings call, CFO Balaji Krishnamurthy said AI agents generated approximately 500 Uber Eats orders and just four rides. "So it’s very, very early and very limited traction that we’re seeing so far," he said, underscoring the gap between AI’s promise and actual consumer adoption.

Uber’s disclosure follows similar comments from DoorDash Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH) CEO Tony Xu, who revealed during the company’s earnings call last week that third-party AI agents had generated only "several hundred orders" cumulatively.

"You never want to fight gravity. But at the same time, you don’t want to be delusional," Xu said, explaining that customers still overwhelmingly ordered directly through DoorDash. Unlike Uber’s weekly figures, DoorDash’s numbers covered the agents’ operating history.

Uber And DoorDash Report Limited AI Adoption

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed similar caution, drawing parallels with his experience in online travel, where Google’s dominance shaped customer acquisition.

"I used to work in the travel business where we were dependent on the Googles of the world. I don’t want to go back there," he said. However, Uber continues negotiating partnerships with outside AI providers, with Khosrowshahi declaring, "We’re really now negotiating the terms of trade."

Uber is also developing proprietary AI assistants. Its Cart Assistant generates shopping baskets roughly twice the average size, according to management, reinforcing its strategy of retaining direct customer relationships while exploring third-party distribution.

Uber Reports Growth Despite Broader Market Challenges

Despite limited third-party AI adoption, Uber reported third-quarter gross bookings of $59.8 billion, up 20% year-over-year, while revenue climbed 10% to $14.8 billion. Quarterly trips increased 16% to 4.1 billion.

The company also highlighted fuel-price pressures, while Reuters noted that driver shortages and the Middle East conflict weighed on its outlook.

Price Action: UBER shares were trading 0.04% lower at $69.84 in after-hours trading on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.