McDonald's AI Drive-Thru Fails: Errant Orders End Experiment
Submitted by MAGA
Posted 101 days ago
McDonald's to end AI drive-thru experiment after errant orders.
McDonald's is reportedly planning to end its artificial intelligence-powered automated drive-thru order-taking experiment at more than 100 locations after angry customers reported receiving items they didn't order.
The gaffes included adding nine sweet teas to one customer's order and giving another customer an ice cream cone topped with bacon.
The Chicago-based fast food chain and IBM partnered on the pilot program two years ago at select franchises.
But the company informed franchisees in an email Thursday that the program will end July 26, though it said it will likely reintroduce the use of AI at its drive-thru windows sometime in the future.
Mason Smoot, chief restaurant officer for McDonald’s USA, told franchisees in an email obtained by Restaurant Business that the company will continue to evaluate its plans to make “an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.”
The use of AI technology in fast food chains has been a growing trend in recent years, with companies like Checkers and Rally’s, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., Krystal, Wendy’s, Dunkin and Taco Johns testing or fully implementing AI technology for their drive thrus.
However, McDonald’s decision to end its AI-powered drive-thru experiment highlights the challenges of implementing new technology in the fast food industry.
While AI has the potential to improve speed and efficiency of order-taking, it is clear that there are still kinks to be worked out before it can be fully implemented.
In the meantime, McDonald’s will continue to evaluate its options and explore voice ordering solutions more broadly.
An IBM spokesperson told the publication that it is negotiating with other fast food companies about implementing its AI-powered technology.
“IBM developed automated order taker technologies with McDonald’s to support the emerging use of voice-activated AI in restaurant drive-thrus,” the company said in the statement.
“This technology is proven to have some of the most comprehensive capabilities in the industry, fast and accurate in some of the most demanding conditions.”
IBM said that “while McDonald’s is reevaluating and refining its plans for AOT, we look forward to continuing to work with them on a variety of other projects.”
The Post has sought comment from McDonald’s and IBM.
Sources:
nypost.com
thenationalpulse.com
npr.org
McDonald's is reportedly planning to end its artificial intelligence-powered automated drive-thru order-taking experiment at more than 100 locations after angry customers reported receiving items they didn't order.
The gaffes included adding nine sweet teas to one customer's order and giving another customer an ice cream cone topped with bacon.
The Chicago-based fast food chain and IBM partnered on the pilot program two years ago at select franchises.
But the company informed franchisees in an email Thursday that the program will end July 26, though it said it will likely reintroduce the use of AI at its drive-thru windows sometime in the future.
Mason Smoot, chief restaurant officer for McDonald’s USA, told franchisees in an email obtained by Restaurant Business that the company will continue to evaluate its plans to make “an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.”
The use of AI technology in fast food chains has been a growing trend in recent years, with companies like Checkers and Rally’s, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., Krystal, Wendy’s, Dunkin and Taco Johns testing or fully implementing AI technology for their drive thrus.
However, McDonald’s decision to end its AI-powered drive-thru experiment highlights the challenges of implementing new technology in the fast food industry.
While AI has the potential to improve speed and efficiency of order-taking, it is clear that there are still kinks to be worked out before it can be fully implemented.
In the meantime, McDonald’s will continue to evaluate its options and explore voice ordering solutions more broadly.
An IBM spokesperson told the publication that it is negotiating with other fast food companies about implementing its AI-powered technology.
“IBM developed automated order taker technologies with McDonald’s to support the emerging use of voice-activated AI in restaurant drive-thrus,” the company said in the statement.
“This technology is proven to have some of the most comprehensive capabilities in the industry, fast and accurate in some of the most demanding conditions.”
IBM said that “while McDonald’s is reevaluating and refining its plans for AOT, we look forward to continuing to work with them on a variety of other projects.”
The Post has sought comment from McDonald’s and IBM.
Sources:
nypost.com
thenationalpulse.com
npr.org
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