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

Small businesses responsible for 80% of tax evasion,...

September 9, 2024

Sustaining productivity in a world of hybrid work

August 17, 2022

Holly Matthews: Actress Turned Self-Development Coach and Bestselling...

August 1, 2024

Bank of England governor highlights ‘substantial problem’ with...

November 14, 2024

Conservatives plan letter from SME backers in final...

July 3, 2024

Tax revenues rise £24bn, offering government optimism amid...

November 21, 2024

UK firms less likely to borrow than at...

January 3, 2023

Food inflation poised to jump above 4% as...

January 9, 2025

5 Steps to leveraging make-or-buy benefits

January 29, 2023

Explore the Best Apple Watch Wristbands for Active...

November 20, 2024

    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

    • America’s Not-So-Secret Secret Police

      August 7, 2025
    • Poll: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans Think They Have a Personal Social Security Account

      August 7, 2025
    • Republican senator claims RFK Jr. mRNA vaccine decision undermines Trump agenda

      August 7, 2025
    • Who is Anita Dunn? The Biden confidante who clashed with Hunter grilled in House autopen probe

      August 7, 2025
    • Case v. Montana Brief: Limit Loopholes to the Fourth Amendment

      August 7, 2025
    • Trump opens $9tn US retirement market to crypto in landmark executive order

      August 7, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,704)
    • Investing (2,184)
    • Politics (16,333)
    • Stocks (3,228)
    • 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