AI Assistant ‘Steijn’ Revolutionizes Meal Planning in the Netherlands

Introduction to Steijn

In a significant development for grocery shoppers in the Netherlands, Steijn, an AI-powered assistant, is reshaping the way people plan their meals. According to [Source EMEA](https://news.microsoft.com/source/emea/features/steijn-the-ai-assistant-transforming-meal-planning-for-millions-in-the-netherlands/), this innovative tool helps users address the perennial question of “What’s for dinner tonight?” by offering a range of healthy options tailored to individual preferences.

Advanced Demand Forecasting at Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn, a leading grocery chain in the Netherlands, has embraced this AI technology by integrating it into their extensive system, which manages around 17,000 products across 1,200 stores. This system makes up to one billion predictions daily to optimize supply and demand, ensuring customers have access to the freshest products possible. A separate team manages electronic price labels, dynamically adjusting discounts as products near expiration, thereby minimizing waste and maximizing savings for customers.

Enhancing Culinary Experiences

Steijn not only streamlines meal planning but also enriches culinary experiences by introducing users to new flavors and recipes. For instance, Kelly Willems, a long-time Albert Heijn customer, discovered a new appreciation for lentils after using Steijn. By simply inputting three ingredients, she received a suggestion for a lentil soup, which became a household favorite. This feature of Steijn highlights its ability to inspire creativity in the kitchen and expand users’ culinary horizons.

Time-Saving and Health Benefits

Beyond culinary exploration, Steijn offers practical advantages such as time savings and improved dietary variety. A user named Van Straaten reported that Steijn saves him approximately 1.5 to 2 hours weekly. More importantly, it enables him to provide his children with healthier and more varied meals, underscoring the assistant’s role in promoting better nutrition.

Conclusion

The introduction of Steijn represents a significant step forward in utilizing AI to enhance everyday tasks such as meal planning and grocery shopping. As more consumers in the Netherlands adopt this technology, it could lead to broader changes in shopping habits, dietary choices, and overall food consumption patterns. Steijn’s impact on the Dutch market exemplifies the potential of AI to revolutionize traditional industries by offering personalized, efficient, and healthier solutions.Image source: Shutterstock