McDonald’s has decided to end its global partnership with IBM for its AI-powered drive-through technology, which has been in testing since 2021. While the current automated order taker experiment is coming to a close, McDonald’s is not ruling out the possibility of exploring other AI drive-through options in the future. The company stated that it has gained confidence in voice ordering solutions for drive-throughs and will continue evaluations to make an informed decision by the end of the year.
Many fast food chains in the U.S. and beyond have been experimenting with AI technology to improve operations, maximize speed, and cut costs. Wendy’s has partnered with Google Cloud to develop the “Wendy’s FreshAI” chatbot, while White Castle has teamed up with SoundHound AI to bring voice-powered technology to their restaurants. Other chains like Panera, Arby’s, and Popeyes have also implemented AI assistants like OpenCity’s “Tori” in their order lanes. Popeyes U.K. recently launched its first AI-powered drive-throughs with a reported 97% accuracy rate.
While some AI-powered drive-throughs have been successful, others have faced challenges. McDonald’s automated order taker with IBM received numerous complaints in recent years, leading to the decision to end the partnership. Despite this setback, McDonald’s remains open to exploring voice ordering solutions for drive-throughs as part of its future restaurant plans. The company is committed to evaluating different AI technologies and making informed decisions on implementing them in their operations.
The use of AI in the fast food industry is part of a broader trend of automation and digitization in the food service sector. As technology continues to advance, many companies are looking for ways to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience. AI-powered drive-throughs represent one way that fast food chains are leveraging technology to meet these goals and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
In conclusion, McDonald’s decision to end its partnership with IBM for its AI-powered drive-through technology is a significant development in the fast food industry. While the current experiment is winding down, McDonald’s remains open to exploring other AI drive-through options, including voice ordering solutions. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more fast food chains incorporating automation and digitization into their operations to meet the demands of a changing market.
