AI Causes Chaos at McDonald’s Automated Order Taking
McDonald’s, the fast-food giant, has partnered with IBM to develop Automated Order Taking (AOT) since 2021. The AOT technology, which utilizes voice recognition software, has been tested at over 100 McDonald’s locations in the United States. However, it has resulted in several comical mishaps, with the AI misinterpreting orders and suggesting absurd combinations like adding bacon to ice cream or mistakenly charging customers hundreds of dollars for chicken nuggets. As a result, McDonald’s has decided to end its collaboration with IBM and announced that the AI ordering system will be discontinued by the end of July.
One of the challenges faced by the AI technology is its difficulty in recognizing different accents and dialects, which affects the accuracy of orders. However, McDonald’s has declined to comment on the accuracy or technical challenges of the AI, while IBM has not immediately responded to inquiries regarding the tool’s accuracy.
Despite the conclusion of the current automated ordering test with IBM, McDonald’s is not completely abandoning the idea of AI-driven ordering. In a statement released on June 17th, McDonald’s expressed confidence that the voice ordering solution offered by AOT will be a part of its future. The company will continue to evaluate long-term and scalable solutions to present a viable plan by the end of the year. IBM also stated that they will continue to collaborate with McDonald’s on other projects even after this test concludes.
McDonald’s introduction of AI automated ordering has resulted in various erroneous orders.
Image by Shutterstock
Wendy’s, Popeyes Utilize AI to Enhance Service Speed and Reduce Costs
McDonald’s is not the only fast-food chain attempting to introduce AI ordering systems. In recent years, many fast-food chains have explored the potential of AI to maximize service speed and reduce costs.
Wendy’s, in collaboration with Google Cloud, has developed the “Wendy’s FreshAI” chatbot, aimed at increasing service speed and allowing human employees to focus on food preparation. White Castle, a local fast-food restaurant in the United States, has partnered with SoundHound AI to introduce AI voice technology to over 100 restaurants by the end of 2024. Additionally, popular chicken burger chain Popeyes has launched AI-driven service in the UK, claiming an accuracy rate of 97%.
Wendy’s has also implemented AI with the development of the “Wendy’s FreshAI” chatbot in collaboration with Google Cloud.
Image by Wendy’s
Sources: BBC, APnews, CNBC
Originally written by AI, compiled and edited by Su Rouwei
Originally published on Digitimes
