Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c722gne7qngo

McDonald's removes AI drive-throughs after order errors

McDonald's has removed AI-powered drive-throughs from its restaurants in the US after facing issues with incorrect orders. The technology, which was designed to improve efficiency, led to a surge in complaints about inaccurate orders. The fast-food giant attributed the problems to "technical issues" and removed the AI drive-throughs from all its US restaurants. The AI technology was intended to speed up order taking and reduce wait times. However, it appears the technology wasn't adequately tested before being rolled out. This led to a significant increase in incorrect orders, frustrated customers, and negative publicity for McDonald's. The company has decided to revert to its traditional drive-through system, utilizing human staff to take orders. This decision reflects the importance of accuracy and customer satisfaction, even if it means sacrificing some efficiency. The incident highlights the potential pitfalls of implementing AI technologies without proper testing and consideration for potential consequences.

Summary

"McDonald's has temporarily removed AI drive-through technology from its US restaurants due to numerous complaints about incorrect orders. The company has opted for a human-staffed system to ensure order accuracy and customer satisfaction, demonstrating the importance of thorough testing and consideration of potential issues when deploying AI technology."

Updated at: 06.20.2024

McDonald's
AI drive-through

McDonalds removes AI drive-throughs after order errors

The voice recognition system seems not to have recognised what customers were really ordering.