Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

McDonald’s Ends AI Drive-Thru Trial Amid Fast-Food Industry’s Automation Push

by June 18, 2024
June 18, 2024
McDonald’s Ends AI Drive-Thru Trial Amid Fast-Food Industry’s Automation Push

McDonald’s has concluded its trial of artificial intelligence chatbots at drive-thrus, highlighting ongoing questions about the fast-food industry’s rapid adoption of automation technologies.

The company will remove AI-based order systems from over 100 locations across the US.

Initiated as part of a 2021 agreement with IBM, the AI systems featured automated voices responding to customer orders. Despite the trial’s termination, McDonald’s has not provided a public explanation, though it indicated to franchises that the technology would be discontinued on 26 July. A spokesperson affirmed that a voice-ordering solution for drive-thrus would remain a component of the chain’s future plans, with a final decision expected by year’s end.

Other fast-food giants, including Wendy’s, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr, and Del Taco, have also experimented with AI technologies at their drive-thrus. Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell and KFC, announced an “AI-first mentality” for its operations earlier this year. This industry-wide interest in AI is driven by the potential to replace human workers and reduce rising labor costs, particularly following California’s new mandatory minimum wage law for fast-food workers.

However, the implementation of AI has not been without issues. Viral videos have showcased AI failures, such as systems adding incorrect items or excessively multiplying orders. For instance, TikTok videos last year showed McDonald’s AI mistakenly adding items like butter packets and charging hundreds of dollars for McNuggets.

Moreover, some AI systems rely heavily on human intervention. Presto Automation Inc, a provider of AI services for fast-food chains, disclosed in an SEC filing that workers in countries like the Philippines are involved in customer interactions about 70% of the time.

Beyond drive-thru orders, fast-food companies are exploring other AI applications. These include developing digital chatbots for apps and using image-recognition technology to estimate wait times. Last December, McDonald’s partnered with Google to create “Ask Pickles,” a chatbot designed to train employees on tasks such as cleaning restaurant equipment, alongside other potential AI uses.

The fast-food industry’s journey towards automation continues, with companies weighing the benefits against the challenges posed by current AI technologies. As McDonald’s and others refine their strategies, the future of AI in fast food remains a dynamic and evolving landscape.

Read more:
McDonald’s Ends AI Drive-Thru Trial Amid Fast-Food Industry’s Automation Push

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
London’s Productivity Decline Linked to Remote Work, Reports ONS
next post
Labour Aims to Improve UK-EU Post-Brexit Trade Deal, Says Reeves

You may also like

Nicole Kidman Joins Paycom Webinar and Podcast to...

January 31, 2025

Huge betting demand is coming towards Qatar!

November 25, 2022

Royal family’s wine merchant to open first US...

May 30, 2025

Thousands of Deliveroo and Uber Eats Drivers Set...

February 13, 2024

Labour’s VAT on private school fees faces high...

September 8, 2024

Dubai’s Elite Fleet: Rent the 5 Most Prestigious...

May 17, 2025

UK economy posts surprise growth at end of...

February 17, 2025

Labour finalising £500m rescue for Tata Steel’s Port...

September 10, 2024

HMRC brought in £5.8bn from investigations into individuals...

January 25, 2023

Newcleo to raise £900m to build fleet of...

March 20, 2023

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Trump celebrates Supreme Court limits on ‘colossal abuse of power’ by federal judges

      June 27, 2025
    • Second Amendment ‘setback’: Gun tax cuts stripped from Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

      June 27, 2025
    • Don’t Give Big Businesses Immunity from Litigation

      June 27, 2025
    • Unmasking Medicaid Money-Laundering Schemes: Medicaid Financing Gimmicks 101

      June 27, 2025
    • Top moments from the Trump-Biden debate that changed the course of the 2024 election

      June 27, 2025
    • Trump exerted ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran and Israel to ‘deliver peace’: Leavitt

      June 27, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,329)
    • Investing (2,077)
    • Politics (15,831)
    • Stocks (3,173)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved