Yelp is automatically creating short videos about restaurants and other businesses using generative artificial intelligence. According to a report by The Verge, this feature is now available nationwide in the United States on Yelp’s iOS app. The system combines photos and videos uploaded by users to create a short, narrated clip.
Generative AI models from OpenAI write the scripts, while ElevenLabs provides the narration and Amazon Transcribe creates the captions. Yelp users cannot currently prevent their content from being used in these videos. Business owners are also unable to preview the videos. Yelp’s Chief Product Officer, Craig Saldanha, stated that videos will only be produced for businesses with enough content to tell a “compelling story”. Users can report videos they find inaccurate.