Instacart launches Clementine AI assistant for grocery shopping
Instacart introduced Clementine on September 9, 2026, offering most US and Canadian customers conversational meal planning and help building grocery carts.
In short
- Instacart introduced Clementine on September 9, 2026, offering most US and Canadian customers conversational meal planning and help building grocery carts.
Instacart launched Clementine on September 9, 2026, adding a conversational assistant that helps customers turn meal ideas, recipes and grocery requests into shopping carts. The company said the feature was available to most customers in the United States and Canada through its app and website. [Instacart’s launch announcement](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meet-clementine-instacarts-ai-shopping-assistant-that-takes-whats-for-dinner-off-your-plate-302872962.html)
Customers select a retailer before using the assistant. They can ask for meal suggestions, explore products or build a shopping list around preferences such as cooking time. Instacart’s help page says access is not yet available to everyone. [Clementine help page](https://www.instacart.com/help/section/809794019/603436865)
The launch also extends Instacart’s AI offering beyond its own marketplace. The company said its Cart Assistant brings the same underlying technology to retailers’ websites and apps, naming Food Bazaar, Harmon’s and Woodman’s among participating grocers. [Instacart’s retailer announcement](https://company.instacart.com/enterprise-blog/instacart-brings-its-ai-powered-shopping-technology-to-grocers-own-websites-and-apps)
The assistant’s suggestions still require customers to check what they are buying. Instacart says AI responses can be inaccurate or outdated, and that product prices and availability can change. Its help page directs shoppers to review product details and checkout information before placing an order.
