Safeway AI Adoption Tracker
Last updated: August 9, 2026
Overview
Safeway, operating under the Albertsons Companies umbrella, has emerged as a leader in retail AI transformation, leveraging artificial intelligence to fundamentally reshape the grocery shopping experience[1]. The company has deployed two primary AI-powered tools: Ask AI, launched in September 2025 using Google Cloud's Conversational Commerce agent, and an advanced agentic shopping assistant powered by OpenAI models launched in December 2025[2]. These AI initiatives have delivered measurable results, with Albertsons reporting that customers using Ask AI experience a 10% increase in basket size, contributing to the company's 21% digital sales growth in Q3 2025[3]. The AI transformation extends beyond customer-facing applications to include supply chain optimization, labor forecasting, and merchandising intelligence, positioning Safeway as part of a comprehensive enterprise-wide AI strategy that CEO Susan Morris describes as designed to 'fundamentally change how we operate and how customers experience Albertsons'[4].
AI Maturity Index
Radar Comparison
Peer Comparison: Safeway vs retail
Based on 41 companies in sector
| Dimension | Safeway | Sector Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption | 4.0 | 3.5 | +0.5 |
| Proficiency | 4.0 | 3.2 | +0.8 |
| Impact | 4.0 | 3.3 | +0.7 |
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.3 | +0.7 |
Key Metrics
AI Initiatives
Albertsons AI Shopping Assistant (Safeway AI)
December 3, 2025
Advanced agentic AI assistant powered by OpenAI models for end-to-end shopping tasks
Available as Safeway AI on Safeway websites, capable of meal planning, recipe importing, list building, and completing complex grocery tasks. Designed to reduce shopping time from 46 minutes to 4 minutes.
Ask AI Search Tool
September 2025
AI-powered search and discovery tool using Google Cloud's Conversational Commerce agent
Accessible via search bar in all Albertsons banner store apps including Safeway, provides personalized product recommendations through natural language conversations. Early results show 10% increase in basket size among users.
AI-Powered Supply Chain Optimization
2025
AI implementation across merchandising, supply chain, and inventory management
Includes demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply chain intelligence to reduce out-of-stock issues and improve operational efficiency.
Generative AI Labor Management
2025
AI-powered labor forecasting and scheduling optimization
Uses generative AI to optimize workforce scheduling, improve productivity, and ensure proper staffing levels across stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Safeway offers two main AI tools: Ask AI (accessible through the search bar in Safeway apps) for personalized product search and recommendations, and Safeway AI (the web-based shopping assistant) that can plan meals, build shopping lists, and complete end-to-end grocery tasks.
According to Albertsons, the AI shopping assistant is designed to reduce grocery shopping time from an average of 46 minutes to as little as 4 minutes by automating meal planning, list building, and cart creation.
Yes, Albertsons reports that customers using the Ask AI tool experience a 10% increase in basket size, often adding one or more additional items to their cart through AI recommendations.
The advanced Albertsons AI shopping assistant is currently available on Safeway websites and is planned to expand to mobile apps in early 2026, with additional features like voice integration and in-store aisle location.
Safeway uses AI across multiple business areas including supply chain optimization, demand forecasting, inventory management, labor scheduling, and merchandising intelligence to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
In Application
| Application | Vendor | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Google Cloud Conversational Commerce Agent | Google Cloud | Powers Ask AI search functionality for personalized product discovery and recommendations |
| OpenAI Models | OpenAI | Powers the Albertsons AI shopping assistant for complex end-to-end grocery tasks |
| Vertex AI | Google Cloud | Platform foundation for AI-powered shopping experiences |
Sources
Albertsons: AI Assistant Increased Customers' Basket Size by 10%
Albertsons gets a big boost from AI during Q3
Albertsons Companies Accelerates Digital Transformation with AI Shopping Assistant
Albertsons Companies Accelerates Digital Transformation with AI Shopping Assistant
Google Cloud Launches Conversational Commerce Agent
Albertsons Companies Q3 2025 Earnings Release
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About AI Tracker
AI Tracker is a research project by Larridin, the AI execution intelligence platform.
Methodology: We analyze earnings calls, press releases, partnership announcements, and product documentation. All assessments are based solely on publicly available information—no private customer data is used.
Maturity Scoring: Each dimension is rated on a 4-tier scale (Nascent → Emerging → Scaling → Leading) based on evidence from public sources. Industry averages are computed as the median across all tracked companies in the sector.