Yelp Inc. (NYSE: YELP) announced it has integrated OpenAI's GPT-Live-1 voice model into two of its AI-powered business tools — Yelp Host and Hatch — making both platforms among the first to deploy OpenAI's latest speech-capable AI.
Yelp Host, launched in October 2025, handles phone inquiries for restaurants using proprietary technology trained on individual restaurant data such as reservation availability, menu specials, food ordering and seating arrangements. According to production testing, the tool has improved call-handling performance and reduced call transfers. Since its debut, Yelp Host has managed more than 1 million calls for restaurants.
Hatch, a platform founded in 2018 that serves service businesses and joined Yelp in 2026, manages tens of millions of leads across voice, text, email and web channels. The integration gives Hatch access to the same GPT-Live-1 architecture.
GPT-Live-1 features a full-duplex voice architecture that allows natural pauses, mid-conversation interruptions and overlapping speech. Callers can change topics mid-sentence or speak to people in the background while the AI adapts in real time. The system also detects caller tone — such as excitement, frustration or impatience — and adjusts its responses accordingly, and automatically detects and responds to callers speaking in nearly any language.
"We're excited to be among the first to integrate GPT-Live-1 into Yelp Host and provide the leading AI voice solution for restaurants," said Akhil Kuduvalli Ramesh, Yelp's chief product officer. Chris Bache, co-founder and CEO of Hatch, added: "Hatch is among the first platforms to integrate OpenAI's GPT-Live-1, and we're thrilled to deliver a new, more natural real-time voice AI experience for service businesses."
