Instacart has joined the growing wave of apps integrating conversational AI directly into their platforms. On Wednesday, the company unveiled Clementine, a new AI-powered grocery shopping assistant designed to transform a simple conversation, a grocery list, or even a recipe into a cart that’s ready for checkout. The goal, according to Instacart, is to help users figure out what to cook for dinner, streamline the shopping process, and keep spending in check. Shoppers can ask Clementine things like, “I need a week of budget-friendly kids’ lunches,” “high-protein, easy dinners for two,” or simply “order my usuals.”

Of course, Instacart isn’t the first delivery service to explore this territory. Both Uber Eats and DoorDash have already rolled out similar AI helpers that convert natural-language requests and grocery lists into tailored carts. This trend signals a shift in how delivery apps see themselves—no longer just destinations for finding and purchasing groceries, but also platforms where meal decisions are made before a purchase ever happens. Competition among these services is now about more than just speed and selection; it’s about becoming the go-to planning hub for households. At the same time, these companies are hoping to keep users engaged within their own ecosystems for meal and grocery planning, rather than watching them turn to general-purpose AI chatbots for help.

According to Instacart, Clementine can whip up personalized recipes or pull in ones from trusted publishers. It also adapts its suggestions to each household’s specific tastes and dietary restrictions, whether that means gluten-free, vegetarian, nut-free, or organic preferences. The assistant is also designed to highlight relevant deals and promotions while pointing out more affordable alternatives. Another handy feature: users can snap a photo of a handwritten shopping list or upload a screenshot of a digital one, and Clementine will convert it into a cart automatically. “Every night, millions of families ask the same question: ‘What’s for dinner.’ Not knowing the answer, let alone what to shop for, is one of the most universal human experiences, and a problem Instacart is built to solve,” said Chris Rogers, CEO of Instacart, in an emailed press release. “We’ve spent nearly 15 years learning how families shop and eat, and Clementine puts that knowledge to work.”

Clementine is now rolling out to users in the U.S. and Canada.