McDonald's not lovin' its AI drive-thru experiment with IBM
+63Daniel - Microsoft MVP Consumer Security (2012-2016) Windows 10 Pro x64 for Workstations 22H2 on my Alienware 17R2 and Windows 11 Pro x64 for Workstations on my Alienware 17R5 Laptops with Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester for PC & Android Samsung Galaxy A16 5G OS 16.
+63
Daniel - Microsoft MVP Consumer Security (2012-2016) Windows 10 Pro x64 for Workstations 22H2 on my Alienware 17R2 and Windows 11 Pro x64 for Workstations on my Alienware 17R5 Laptops with Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester for PC & Android Samsung Galaxy A16 5G OS 16.
+5But will AI be better at getting the order right than humans?!
"The only problem with troubleshooting is that sometimes trouble shoots back!"
+25If you ever have been inside a MacDonalds when someone is ordering at drive thru, it is no surprise that AI could not get the order right. The audio quality sounded like someone talking over two cans and a string. I’m surprised they ever get the order right with humans as well,,
- Owen Rubin, Apple Expert. Worked in Vision Pro team and early Mac HW and OS engineer at Apple. Machines: 2017 iMac Pro 27" 5K 3GHz 10-Core Xenon Sonoma 14.x. 2023 14" MacBookPro M2 Max Ventura 13.x, 2018 16" MacBookPro Ventura 13.x, and a dozen or so older machines for testing. iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 6.
+5Indeed. They really need to update their speaker system. I always have to say it more than once. If fact, nowadays I use the app and order in advance then just pick it up. Even then I don’t always get what I've ordered!
"The only problem with troubleshooting is that sometimes trouble shoots back!"
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McDonald's is pulling out of its venture with IBM that brought AI to some of its drive-thrus.
The fast food giant is slated to take the feature offline by July 26, according to Restaurant Business, which obtained an internal email sent to franchisees last week. The letter reportedly offers very little explanation for why the program is ending.
In a statement to The Register, McDonald's was similarly tight-lipped. "Through our partnership with IBM, we have captured many learnings and feel there is an opportunity to explore voice ordering solutions more broadly. After thoughtful review, McDonald's has decided to end our current global partnership with IBM on AOT [automated order taking] beyond this year."
The AI drive-thru experiment began in 2021, and was expanded in 2022. Although IBM will no longer be relied on for AI drive-thrus, the two companies still apparently have business ties for other parts of McDonald's operations.
The reasoning behind the end of the AI drive-thru as it currently exists is unclear, and while it could be because it just didn't work very well, the concept isn't dead just yet. "The goal of the test was to determine if an automated voice ordering solution could simplify operations for crew and create a faster, improved experience for our fans," the fast food corporation said.
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