AI Is Coming to Your Favorite Fast Food Drive-Thru Soon!
AI, or artificial intelligence, will soon be taking your fast food order at drive-throughs across the country. Yum! Brands, which includes fast food giants like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, announced they will begin rolling out AI in hundreds of locations in April 2025 and continue through June 2025, according to USA Today. The company is partnering with tech firm Nvidia, aiming to enhance customer service through voice ordering technology.
According to a news release, the AI technology will be capable of handling even the most complicated food orders and understanding various customer speech patterns. USA Today also reported that Nvidia's AI has already seen action during a pilot stage at select Taco Bell and Pizza Hut locations.
These new advancements aren't unique to Yum! Brands. Other fast food chains like Wendy's and McDonald's have also dabbled in AI technology to streamline their operations. Wendy's plans to expand the use of this technology to 600 more locations this coming summer, but not every brand has fared as well. McDonald's unfortunately had to scrap its AI drive-thru program after receiving feedback about too many incorrect orders.
Reporters have noted the mixed feelings that consumers have regarding AI in the fast-food industry. Some customers feel optimistic about the changes, hoping that the technology will enhance their ordering experience. One customer, who visited a Hardees with an AI-powered drive-thru in Cedar Rapids in 2023, remarked on the experience, stating that they had no issues and that the computer got their order right.
Nevertheless, concerns about job displacement have been prevalent. While the Hardees staff reassured customers that the AI system wasn't meant to replace employees but rather to improve efficiency, many individuals still express worries about the long-term implications of such technologies. Some local fast-food workers admit that there is a fear in the industry about being replaced by machines, particularly as AI continues to evolve.
But for now, at least, the fast food industry seems excited about its AI future. Customers can expect to see the AI voice ordering system starting next month and continue rolling into more locations over the summer.
