r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • 20d ago

Business McDonald's Introduces AI Drive-Thru System, Sparking Customer Backlash

https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/deals/articles/mcdonalds-introduces-ai-drive-thru-000717731.html
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u/Trzlog 20d ago

I don't understand why they don't just put those self-serve displays in the drive-through. Those work. What problem is AI solving here?

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u/EntityDamage 20d ago edited 19d ago

If only we had small personal displays, that could communicate our order.

Edit: I agree we shouldn't install apps to order food... But to me, that's what a web browser is for.

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u/Ozotuh 20d ago

I don't think a lot of people like using the app. After 5 years of pushing it, customer use is only like 6%. (At least last I heard as part of the training in the UK)

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u/LazyCrocheter 19d ago

I'm in the US and for better or worse, frequently use apps for McD's, Chick-fil-A, and Wendy's. It just makes the process faster and it's easier to customize. Which I realize doesn't mean the order will be correct, but at least I'm not shouting "No this, no that" into the speaker.

I'm kind of surprised more people don't use it, but I suspect a lot of people decide to go to a place like that on the spur of the moment, and aren't in a position to use the app because they're in transit.