McDonald's abandons AI for ordering in the US

McDonald's has completed a two-year pilot project using artificial intelligence (AI) systems to take orders at more than 100 restaurants. By the end of July 2024, these systems will be dismantled and customers will be able to order food from cashiers again.

Here's What We Know

McDonald's has decided that there are better alternatives to automate the food ordering process.

The corporation plans to explore other options by the end of the year and make a final decision on the future of voice ordering.

One of the reasons for switching to cashiers may be that AI systems did not always cope with complex orders or could not correctly understand customer requests. In addition, some customers simply preferred to interact with a human rather than a machine.

Despite this setback, McDonald's does not rule out the possibility of using AI in the future. The company continues to collaborate with IBM in other areas and may also consider partnerships with other AI technology providers to improve its ordering systems.

In the meantime, other fast food chains such as Hardee's, Carl's Jr., Krystal, Wendy's, Dunkin', and Taco Johns are already testing or using similar AI systems in their restaurants.

Source: Restaurant Business