(NewsNation) — McDonald’s is ending a test of artificial intelligence in drive-thru lanes, pulling the technology from the 100 stores where it was in use, according to reports.
The company had partnered with IBM to test automated voice ordering in the drive-thru to see if it would help increase speed and simplify operations, Restaurant Business reported.
Several other fast food chains have been testing AI as well in an effort to eliminate the need for human workers to take drive-thru orders. That would enable the stores to hire fewer employees or put those staff members to work in other areas.
While AI might help stores reduce labor costs, posts on social media showed the technology was not always a hit with customers who struggled to get correct orders without a human involved.
McDonald’s has not ruled out additional experimentation with AI-powered voice ordering but indicated it did not plan to continue to work with IBM on that particular technology, according to Restaurant Dive.
NewsNation has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.
