If you’re in the mood for pizza, there’s a new way to place your order without resorting to delivery apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash. The California chain, Pizza My Heart, has introduced an AI-powered chatbot named "Jimmy the Surfer" that lets customers order via text. This innovative service taps into the nostalgia of past TV commercials featuring the character.
In a recent interaction, I texted Jimmy asking for a pizza with pineapple and anchovies. His response was diplomatic, praising the bold flavor combination while acknowledging differing tastes. I inquired about images of his recommendations, and he promptly provided one, confirming that payment could be made in cash or by card upon delivery.
This AI ordering experience complements various existing methods, such as standard app orders and human calls. The technology behind Jimmy comes from Palona AI, which aims to streamline the ordering process, reduce employee workloads, and enhance customer interactions.
Palona AI recently emerged from stealth mode and has garnered $10 million in seed funding. The firm’s leadership boasts impressive credentials; CEO Maria Zhang previously held significant roles at Google, Meta, and Tinder, while CTO Tim Howes co-invented the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). The team’s expertise positions Palona AI as a potent player in the AI conversation.
Currently, Palona AI is also in use at a South Carolina spa called MindZero, where it facilitates direct messaging via platforms like Instagram. Customers have been observed to engage more in-depth with the chatbot, asking questions they might have felt uncomfortable posing to a human.
Zhang notes that Palona AI is designed to strengthen brand identity and customer connection. Smaller brands, like Wyze—a company known for affordable security cameras—can use Palona’s chatbot to maintain a voice distinct from larger retailers like Amazon. The chatbot is embedded on brand websites or through social media DMs, depending on the business’s needs.
Palona’s technology includes large language models similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but with a unique supervisory model to keep chatbot conversations strictly relevant to the brand’s offerings. This setup also integrates emotional intelligence, equipping the chatbot with a knack for humor and persuasive communication.
In settings like Wyze, the chatbot takes on a character—such as a wizard—to make the interaction thematic. Through conversational engagement, customers can explore product options with the AI guiding them through available features and upselling subscription plans without the traditional sales pressure.
The hope is that this approach will resonate particularly with younger consumers, who prefer interactive models like these. This preference leads to a shift in how brands engage, allowing customers to directly inquire about products instead of navigating through traditional web searches.
Palona AI exemplifies a growing movement in which AI serves as a specialized sales agent, contrasting with human sales roles that traditionally earn commissions. This automation may prove increasingly attractive for businesses looking to optimize operations while maintaining customer engagement.
