McDonald's ends AI drive-thru orders — for now
CBSJUN 2024
McDonald's Suspends AI Drive-Thru Test With IBM
Above: OCTOBER 18, 2023: Motorists queue to use the Drive Thru hatch of the fast food restaurant McDonald's in Bristol, England Image copyright: Matt Cardy/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
AI is revolutionizing the restaurant industry for the betterment of customers. From perfectly made food to personalized menus, restaurant-goers have expressed high satisfaction with the quality of service and cuisine. With automation now covering the basics, the next step will be to use virtual reality to give customers immersive dining experiences at their fingertips.
Establishment-critical narrative
Technology has been used to increase customer satisfaction, such as high-tech French fry makers, but never at the cost of so many jobs or privacy. AI is about replacing all cashier jobs while using personalized menus and foot traffic detection to encourage customers to buy more at a higher price. The goal is to increase the bottom line, not worker or customer satisfaction.