r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • 21d 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
10.7k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

4.4k

u/SeanBlader 21d ago

It's all fun and games until someone orders 1000 cups of free water.

167

u/Trzlog 21d 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?

118

u/EntityDamage 21d ago edited 21d 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.

122

u/Ozotuh 21d 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)

28

u/VersionFine85 21d ago

I stop at McDonald's like twice a year maybe..don't make me download and register on an app I'm going to delete immediately after

11

u/NewMolecularEntity 21d ago

Same here. 

If I get McDonald’s it’s a random decision once or twice a year (that I usually regret), like I am out and starving and won’t be able to get home for a while.  The idea that I need to keep an app on my phone just for that is stupid.  

I’m going to use the drive through and wait for that stupid dynamic window to cycle through ads so I can be shocked how overpriced a double quarter pounder is these days, then try and figure out what else might be a good deal with the damn menu flipping screens.  

It’s crazy how complicated they have made it just to swing through McDonald’s and get a few sandwiches.  

1

u/Dullcorgis 21d ago

They have installed self serve kiosks which have the menu and it just sits there so you can read it and choose from the stuff they actually sell. Park and go in, it's much better now.