Скачать или смотреть McDonald's Halts AI Drive Thru: A Tech Timeout? | Latest Tech News

McDonald's has been testing AI-powered drive-thru systems in an effort to streamline their ordering process and reduce labor costs. The pilot program, which began in 10 Chicago-area restaurants, utilizes voice recognition technology to take orders. However, the system currently achieves only about 85% accuracy, meaning human intervention is still necessary for roughly one in five orders​.

The AI drive-thru initiative is part of a broader strategy by McDonald's to innovate and potentially reduce reliance on human staff for repetitive tasks. The company acquired the startup Apprente in 2019 to help develop this technology and has since partnered with IBM to enhance and scale the system globally​. While this technology aims to improve efficiency and customer experience, it also raises concerns about job displacement in the fast-food industry​.

Despite the challenges, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski is optimistic about the long-term feasibility and business benefits of AI in drive-thrus, estimating that it could take several years before a nationwide rollout is feasible​​. The company views this as a necessary step to keep up with technological advancements and changing customer expectations.
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