McDonalds: More productivity with AI
The fast food chain is rolling out an AI and software update to 43,000 stores to reduce stress for employees and increase customer satisfaction.
Training center of McDonald's Germany.
(Image: McDonald's)
The world's largest fast food chain McDonald's wants to improve its processes with the help of a software update and new AI functions. "Our restaurants, frankly, can be very stressful," Brian Rice, the company's Chief Information Officer, told the Wall Street Journal. "Technology solutions will reduce the stress."
McDonald's is relying on internet-connected kitchen appliances, AI-powered drive-ins and AI functions for restaurant managers. Since 2023, the chain has been working with Google Cloud to analyze data in its restaurants using edge computing. Sensors on machines can be used to create a live analysis of processes in the kitchen. But it will also be possible, for example, to predict when the ice cream machine is next likely to break down.
Videos by heise
Customers will notice the introduction of AI voices at the drive-through. There has already been an attempt to establish this. The project was discontinued in 2024 due to some problems with taking orders. A form of facial recognition by AI is also to be used in restaurants. This will use the customer's facial expressions to determine whether the order is correct before it goes over the counter.
In the future, McDonald's also wants to develop a virtual AI manager to write shift schedules and take on other administrative tasks. Taco Bell and Pizza Hut are working on similar projects. McDonald's declined to comment to the Wall Street Journal on the level of investment required for the changeover.
(tlz)
