Ride-hailing platform Bolt has integrated its services with ChatGPT, allowing users to search for rides, compare routes and view fare estimates within the AI assistant.
The rollout makes Bolt one of the first global mobility platforms to embed ride-hailing into ChatGPT, enabling users to plan journeys through natural language instead of navigating a dedicated mobile app. The feature is available across all markets where Bolt operates, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and several European countries.
Users can ask ChatGPT for travel options between two locations, receive upfront fare estimates, compare available ride categories, check estimated driver arrival times and identify the most convenient pickup point. Once a ride is selected, the request is transferred to the Bolt app, where users complete the booking and payment. Payments remain outside ChatGPT for now.
Bolt said the integration reflects changing consumer behaviour as artificial intelligence becomes a starting point for planning everyday activities, including transport.
Senior Vice President Paddy Partridge said consumers increasingly organise their activities through AI conversations rather than switching between multiple apps. He added that requesting a ride should become as seamless as asking a question.
The company plans to introduce in-chat payments later this year, paving the way for end-to-end ride booking without leaving ChatGPT.
The launch comes as technology companies race to position AI assistants as gateways to digital services. Rather than requiring users to open standalone apps, businesses are increasingly embedding their services into conversational interfaces that allow customers to search, compare and initiate transactions through a single interaction.
Industry research cited by Bolt found that 80% of travellers already use AI tools when planning trips, underscoring the growing role of generative AI in consumer decision-making.
For Bolt, the integration represents more than a new booking channel. It positions the company to capture customers at the planning stage of a journey, before they decide which transport provider to use.
The move also signals a broader shift in digital commerce, where AI assistants are evolving from information tools into platforms that connect users with real-world services. As more businesses integrate with conversational AI, travel planning, shopping, food delivery and financial services are expected to become increasingly accessible through a single chat interface.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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