Grab launches AI tools for merchants and drivers in Southeast Asia

The new solutions were developed in collaboration with AI research leaders OpenAI and Anthropic.

Grab has launched two new AI-powered tools aimed at helping its merchants and drivers boost productivity and decision-making on the platform.

Unveiled at the company’s inaugural GrabX event, the AI Merchant Assistant and AI Driver Companion are part of Grab’s push to put intelligent, real-time support directly into the hands of its partners across Southeast Asia.

The new solutions were developed in collaboration with AI research leaders OpenAI and Anthropic, with Grab describing the move as central to its “AI-First with Heart” approach.

For merchants—many of whom are small business owners with limited resources—the AI Merchant Assistant acts as a 24/7 business advisor within the GrabMerchant app.

It uses large language models (LLMs) to offer tailored insights, help with operational tasks like updating menus or creating ad campaigns, and soon, will even suggest financing solutions via GrabFin and Grab’s digital banks.

The assistant delivers answers in a human, conversational tone and is designed to understand the unique challenges of each business.

On the mobility side, the AI Driver Companion offers two new features to improve driver efficiency and safety. The first is an AI-powered ride guidance system that predicts high-demand locations based on real-time and historical data, helping drivers locate jobs more quickly.

The second is a hands-free voice reporting tool that lets drivers update Grab on road conditions in real time—enhancing the quality of data feeding into GrabMaps, the company’s mapping platform.

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