Heaptalk, Jakarta — Gojek’s rival which is based in Singapore, Grab, announced its strategic collaboration with Sam Altman’s OpenAI to build and perform pilot deployment of ChatGPT Enterprise of OpenAI that enrich this ride-hailing experience for users, partner, and employees.
“Generative AI has plenty of potential to transform further the way we solve problems for our partners and users. We are excited to work with OpenAI as a partner to expedite the exploration and use of this technology within Grab. Our goal with any new technology has always been to use it to solve real issues, at scale. Equipped with the latest tools, we look forward to building novel and delightful experiences for our customers while improving the way that every Grabber works,” Grab’s CEO, Philipp Kandal, said.
In the detailed partnership, Grab will also access OpenAI’s technical and strategic expertise to partner on solutions tailored to the specific needs of users in SEA, focusing on three key areas, including:
- Accessibility, the group will leverage the use of state-of-the-art text and voice capabilities to make Grab’s services more accessible to overall users, particularly the visually impaired or elderly who may otherwise find it challenging to navigate the on-screen app interface.
- Customer support, aiming to build customer support chatbots to better understand user problems and help resolve them faster.
- Mapping, leveraging OpenAI’s vision capabilities to enhance its map-making efforts through greater automation and higher-quality data extraction from visual images. GrabMaps can be updated more quickly and deliver a better experience to consumers and driver-partners.
Commenting the collaboration, Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI, Brad Lightcap, admitted, “We are excited to work with Grab and explore how advanced AI can benefit Grab’s users, partners, and employees across Southeast Asia.”
This partnership is part of the Group’s attempt to retrieve its services and narrow its loss. As Grab reported its Q1 revenue by up to 24% this year, attaining US$653 million. All segments drive this enhancement amid a reduction in on-demand incentives as a percentage of on-demand GMV.
Its on-demand GMV also improved by 18% YoY, supported by robust underlying demand growth across deliveries and mobility. On-demand MTUs bumped by19% YoY despite seasonal headwings from Chinese New Year activities and the Ramadan fasting period in Q1 2024.
As the company continued to drive profitable growth in Q1, Grab company also improved its Adjusted EBITDA at US$62 million this quarter, enhancing US$129 million YoY compared to negative US$67 million for a similar period in 2023.
