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Instacart Launches New AI-Powered Food Inspiration Search Tool, Ask Instacart

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New Ask Instacart search experience makes meal planning easier, faster, and more inspiring than ever before

SAN FRANCISCO, May 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, today launched Ask Instacart, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered search tool designed to assist with customers’ grocery shopping questions – saving them time, inspiring their routine, and helping them make food-related decisions by offering personalized recommendations throughout the shopping experience.

 

Instacart today launched an AI-powered search tool, designed to assist with customers’ grocery shopping questions.

By leveraging the language understanding capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and Instacart’s own AI models and unique catalog data that spans more than a billion shoppable items across more than 80,000 retail partner locations, Ask Instacart invites customers to ask questions about what to eat and how to make it, helping tackle the age-old daily question: ‘What’s for dinner?’. Starting to roll out to Instacart customers today and scaling to all U.S. customers over the coming weeks, Ask Instacart is a reimagined yet still familiar search experience directly embedded in the search bar in the Instacart app, providing customers with product recommendations that are intuitively organized, as well as additional useful information about food preparation, product attributes, dietary considerations, and more. The newly enhanced search experience also incorporates personalized question prompts into the search bar that anticipate customer preferences, remind them of their needs based on their shopping history, and inspire them to discover new products.

“A simple question like ‘What’s for dinner?’ is among the most complex for families everywhere to answer. From decisions about budget and dietary specifications to cooking skills, personal preferences, and so much more, Ask Instacart can help customers answer all of their food questions and deliver the ingredients for the perfect meal in as fast as an hour,” said JJ Zhuang, Chief Architect at Instacart. “Whether it’s, “What’s the best fish for tacos?” or “What should I make for a Memorial Day BBQ?,” by supercharging Instacart search with generative AI we can create a truly inspiring experience that unlocks even more opportunities to engage and help customers as they shop online from their favorite retailers.”

With Ask Instacart, customers will be able to:

Better understand what ingredients or dishes pair well with others, like, “What kind of side dishes should I serve with lamb chops?”Discover alternative ingredients that can be swapped for one another, like, “What fish is similar to salmon?”Get more information on cooking techniques, like, “What are good sauces for grilling chicken?”Generate lists of ingredients if they have a meal in mind, like, “What can I use in a stir fry?”Learn more about item attributes so they can get personalized dietary inspiration, like, “What are dairy-free snacks for kids?”Discover broader, context-specific inspiration for more open-ended queries, like, “What are the best veggies to roast?”

Further adding to the new experience, Ask Instacart will help match consumer needs – through the questions asked – with brand partners’ sponsored product campaigns, creating an even more convenient way for people to discover new products and access the products they already know and love.

The Ask Instacart launch comes as part of a growing suite of new AI-native initiatives from Instacart that we are working to roll out over the next year and beyond. In March, the company debuted an Instacart plugin for ChatGPT, which lets ChatGPT users express their food needs in natural language, with Instacart’s ability to make those needs instantly shoppable with ingredients delivered to their door in as fast as an hour. Since that launch, the Instacart plugin has been made available to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers, and Instacart has plans to launch additional plugins with Microsoft Bing and Google Bard in the coming months.

At Instacart, we know that generative AI technology is still in its early stages, so Ask Instacart is a highly specialized model designed to only respond to relevant food-related questions. Instacart is committed to incorporating AI features into our products in a responsible manner, with a goal of enhancing the overall Instacart shopping experience and delivering more food inspiration to customers.

About Instacart
Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1,200 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 80,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace. Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule. The Instacart Platform offers retailers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services to power their e-commerce experiences, fulfill orders, digitize brick-and-mortar stores, provide advertising services, and glean insights. With Instacart Ads, thousands of CPG brands – from category leaders to emerging brands – partner with the company to connect directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase. With Instacart Health, the company is providing tools to increase nutrition security, make healthy choices easier for consumers, and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes. For more information, visit www.instacart.com/company, and to start shopping, visit www.instacart.com.

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SOURCE Instacart

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BLUETTI Unveils Apex 300: Pre-Launch Access to Next-Gen Energy System Now Open

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The Apex 300 is built for a simple start—and ready to scale into a smarter energy ecosystem.

TORONTO, April 17, 2025 /CNW/ — BLUETTI, a leading innovator in clean energy storage, has officially opened the pre-order period for its new Apex 300 Energy Storage System (ESS), designed to meet the evolving demands of home backup, off-grid living, and mobile power. Early supporters can access exclusive perks through the BLUETTI pre-launch program running from April 16 to May 7 or join the Apex 300 Global Community. The product will officially debut on Indiegogo at 11:00 AM EDT on May 8.

 

The Apex 300 delivers 2,764.8Wh of capacity and 3,840W of continuous power in a compact, plug-and-play design. With dual 120V/240V output, it powers 99% of home appliances—from refrigerators and washing machines to power tools and air conditioners. It is the world’s first portable power station with 50A/12,000W pass-through capability and a true 0ms Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), making it ideal for both planned use and emergency response.

Thanks to its ultra-low 20W AC idle drain, the Apex 300 is one of the most efficient systems in its class. It significantly extends runtimes for fridges, CPAP machines, and other critical devices during blackouts. Built with second-generation automotive-grade LiFePO₄ battery cells, the system offers up to 17 years of dependable use.

What makes the Apex 300 stand out is its expandable ecosystem, including:

B300/B300S/B300K batteries – add more energy storageSolarX 4K Controller – supports 4,000W solar inputAT1 Smart Distribution Box – automates home energy useHub A1/Hub D1 – enable parallel or DC system upgrades

Fully scaled, a triple-unit Apex 300 system with 18 B300K batteries can reach up to 58,000Wh capacity and 11,520W output—enough to run a home for up to a week. It supports solar input up to 30,720W, integrates with existing rooftop inverters, and offers intelligent control via the BLUETTI App, including smart load prioritization and weather alert modes.

For off-grid or RV setups, the Apex 300 features NEMA TT-30R and 14-50R ports, standard AC outlets, and easy charging via solar panels, EV chargers, gas generators, or vehicle alternators.

About BLUETTI

Founded with a mission to deliver clean, accessible energy to everyone, BLUETTI has become a trusted energy storage brand in over 110 countries. Through programs like LAAF (Lighting An African Family), the company continues to innovate with purpose—bringing sustainable power to homes, remote cabins, and off-grid communities around the world.

Tara Fu
BLUETTI Marketing
pr@bluetti.com

SOURCE BLUETTI POWER INC

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Spectra7 Announces Approval of Parade Technologies Sale Transaction, Results of Annual Meeting

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SAN JOSE, Calif., April 17, 2025 /CNW/ — (TSXV:SEV) (OTCQB:SPVNF) Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. (“Spectra7” or the “Company”), a leader in high-performance analog semiconductors for broadband connectivity markets, such as AI networks, hyperscale data centers, and AR/VR, today announced results of its annual and special meeting of shareholders held on April 17, 2025 (the “Meeting”).

As part of the Meeting, the Company’s shareholders (the “Shareholders”) approved the proposed sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company (the “Sale Transaction”) pursuant to the terms of the previously announced asset purchase agreement dated March 7, 2025 between the Corporation and Parade Technologies, Ltd. (the “Purchase Agreement”). Shareholders also approved the proposed delisting of the Company’s common shares from the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”), conditional upon the approval and completion of the Sale Transaction.

The Sale Transaction is expected to close in the week following the Meeting, but remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining conditions precedent set out in the Purchase Agreement. Please see the Company’s news release dated March 7, 2025 and the management information circular relating to the Meeting dated March 18, 2025 for a comprehensive description of the Sale Transaction and Purchase Agreement.

Shareholders also voted to:

authorize the creation of new Control Persons (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) in connection with the exercise of outstanding pre-funded warrants of the Company;elect Raouf Halim, Omar Javaid, Roger Maggs, Christopher Morgan, and Ronald Pasek as directors; andappoint MNP, LLP, Chartered Accountants as auditor for the ensuing year.

ABOUT SPECTRA7 MICROSYSTEMS INC.

Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. is a high-performance analog semiconductor company delivering unprecedented bandwidth, speed and resolution to enable disruptive industrial design for leading electronics manufacturers in virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, data centers and other connectivity markets. Spectra7 is based in San Jose, California with a design center in Cork, Ireland and a technical support location in Dongguan, China. For more information, please visit www.spectra7.com. 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Statements in this press release contain forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “anticipates”, “plans”, “proposes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “expects”, “believes”, “may” and “will”. The forward-looking statements included in this press release, including statements regarding the Sale Transaction and the receipt of necessary TSXV approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions.

In respect of the forward-looking statements and information included in this press release, Spectra7 has provided such in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including assumptions as to the ability of the parties to the Purchase Agreement to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, necessary approvals to complete the Sale Transaction and the ability of such parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Sale Transaction. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Spectra7’s control. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the risk that the Sale Transaction may not be completed on a timely basis, or at all; risks that the conditions to the consummation of the Sale Transaction may not be satisfied; the risk that the Sale Transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; the risk that, prior to the completion of the Sale Transaction, Spectra7’s business may experience significant disruptions, including loss of customers or employees, due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors; the possible occurrence of an event, change or other circumstance that could result in termination of the Sale Transaction; risks that the Sale Transaction may have a negative impact on the market price and liquidity of the common shares of Spectra7; risks related to the diversion of management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; risks relating to the failure to obtain necessary TSXV approvals; risks related to trade tariffs and retaliatory trade measures, specifically between the United States and Canada; foreign exchange risk; and other risks inherent to completing a cross-border transaction of this nature. Further, failure to obtain the requisite approvals or the failure of the parties to otherwise satisfy the conditions to or complete the Sale Transaction, may result in the Sale Transaction not being completed on the proposed terms, or at all. In addition, if the Sale Transaction is not completed, and Spectra7’s business continues in its current form, the announcement of the Sale Transaction and the dedication of substantial resources to the completion of the Sale Transaction could have a material adverse impact on Spectra7’s share price, its current business relationships (including with future and prospective employees, customers and partners) and on the current and future operations, financial condition and prospects of Spectra7.

When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Details of additional risk factors relating to Spectra7 and its business, generally, are discussed under the heading “Business Risks and Uncertainties” in Spectra7’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, a copy of which is available on Spectra7’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, Spectra7 expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information, please contact:

Matt Kreps, Managing Director
Darrow Associates Investor Relations
mkreps@darrowir.com
214-597-8200

Spectra7 Microsystems Inc.
Omar Javaid
Chief Executive Officer
ir@spectra7.com

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SOURCE Spectra7 Microsystems Inc.

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LIONSGATE AND LIONSGATE STUDIOS REMIND SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE AT THE UPCOMING MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCE PROXY SUPPLEMENT

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, BC, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) (“Lionsgate”) and Lionsgate Studios Corp. (Nasdaq: LION) (“Lionsgate Studios”) today reminded shareholders to vote at the upcoming annual general and special meeting of shareholders of Lionsgate and special meeting of shareholders of Lionsgate Studios (the “Meetings”). The revised proxy materials are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios are seeking shareholder approval to, among other things, effect the separation of the businesses of Lionsgate Studios, which encompasses the motion picture and television studio operations, from the other businesses of Lionsgate, including the STARZ-branded premium subscription platforms.

Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios will hold the Meetings on April 23, 2025. Shareholders of record of Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios as of at 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on March 12, 2025 are entitled to vote at the Meetings in accordance with the joint proxy statement/prospectus. The board of directors for each of Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios strongly recommend that shareholders vote “FOR” each of the proposals presented at the Meetings.

In addition, Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios today announced the filing of a supplement to the joint proxy statement/prospectus, dated March 14, 2025, in connection with the Meetings.

If you need assistance in voting your shares or have questions regarding the Meetings, please contact Lionsgate’s and Lionsgate Studios’ proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at (800) 322-2885 (toll-free) or (212) 929-5500 (collect), or by email at lionsgate@mackenziepartners.com, if you are a shareholder of Lionsgate, or lgstudios@mackenziepartners.com, if you are a shareholder of Lionsgate Studios.

Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication is being made in respect of the Transactions described in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 involving Lionsgate, Lionsgate Studios and Lionsgate Studios Holding Corp (“New Lionsgate”). In connection with the Transactions, Lionsgate filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 on March 13, 2025 and a Proxy Statement on March 14, 2025. Promptly after filing its Proxy Statement with the SEC, Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios mailed the Proxy Statement and a proxy card to each shareholder of Lionsgate entitled to vote at the Meetings relating to the Transactions. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios has filed or may file with the SEC or send to its shareholders in connection with the Transactions. INVESTORS, SECURITY HOLDERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTIONS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LIONSGATE, LIONSGATE STUDIOS AND THE TRANSACTIONS. The materials filed by Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios are available to Lionsgate’s investors and shareholders at no expense to them and copies may be obtained free of charge by directing a request to Lionsgate at 2700 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Attention: Investor Relations or at tel: (310) 449-9200. In addition, all of those materials are available at no charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Participants in the Solicitation
Lionsgate, Lionsgate Studios and certain of their directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its shareholders in connection with the Transactions. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered to be participants in the solicitation of Lionsgate’s and Lionsgate Studios’ shareholders in connection with the Transactions is set forth in the Proxy Statement. Additional information regarding these individuals and any direct or indirect interests they may have in the Transactions is set forth in the Proxy Statement and other relevant documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Transactions. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.

Additional information regarding the interests of such individuals in the Transactions are included in the Proxy Statement. These documents may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

No Offer or Solicitation
This communication does not constitute (i) a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Transactions or (ii) an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation to purchase, any securities of Lionsgate, Lionsgate Studios or New Lionsgate. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom, nor shall any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction be affected. No securities commission or securities regulatory authority in the United States or any other jurisdiction has in any way passed upon the merits of the business combination or the accuracy or adequacy of this communication.

Forward-Looking Statements
The matters discussed in this communication include forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, but not limited to: changes in our business strategy; the substantial investment of capital required to produce and market films and television series; budget overruns; limitations imposed by our credit facilities and notes; unpredictability of the commercial success of our motion pictures and television programming; risks related to acquisition and integration of acquired businesses; the effects of dispositions of businesses or assets, including individual films or libraries; the cost of defending our intellectual property; technological changes and other trends affecting the entertainment industry; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships; weakness in the global economy and financial markets, including a recession and past and future bank failures; wars, terrorism and multiple international conflicts that could cause significant economic disruption and political and social instability; labor disruptions and strikes; the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the Transactions, including the approval of the requisite equity holders of Lionsgate and Lionsgate Studios is not obtained; the inability to receive court approval of the proposed plan of arrangement in connection with the Transactions; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreements relating to the Transactions; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Transactions on Lionsgate’s or Lionsgate Studios’ ability to retain key personnel and to maintain relationships with business partners; risks relating to potential diversion of management attention from Lionsgate’s and Lionsgate Studios’ ongoing business operations; negative effects of this announcement or the consummation of the Transactions on the market price of Lionsgate’s or Lionsgate Studios’ applicable equity securities and/or operating results; transaction costs associated with the Transactions; and the other risk factors set forth in Lionsgate’s and Lionsgate Studios’ most recent Quarterly Reports Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the risk factors that are set forth in the S-4. Neither of Lionsgate nor Lionsgate Studios undertakes any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances.

About Lionsgate Studios
Lionsgate Studios (Nasdaq: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a talent management and production powerhouse and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) owns approximately 87% of the outstanding shares of Lionsgate Studios Corp. (Nasdaq: LION), one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies, as well as the premium subscription platform STARZ.

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Nilay Shah
nshah@lionsgate.com
310-255-3651

For media inquiries, please contact:

Laurel Pecchia
lpecchia@lionsgate.com
310-255-5114

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SOURCE Lionsgate; Lionsgate Studios

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