McDonald's not lovin' its AI drive-thru experiment with IBM
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But will AI be better at getting the order right than humans?!
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+25
If 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,,
Userlevel 7
+5
Indeed. 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!
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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 nautomated 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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