Taco Bell plans to have hundreds of its drive-thrus operated by artificial intelligence (AI) by the end of 2024. The fast-food chain has partnered with Entire AI, a company that develops AI-powered voice ordering systems. The AI system will take orders, answer questions, and process payments at the drive-thru. It aims to improve order accuracy, speed up service, and enhance the customer experience. Taco Bell has already tested the technology at select locations and found that it increased throughput by 25%. The AI system can handle multiple orders simultaneously and integrate with existing restaurant technology. Entire AI’s system uses natural language processing and machine learning to understand customer requests. While some jobs may be impacted, Taco Bell believes the AI will complement human workers rather than replace them entirely. The move reflects the growing adoption of AI in the food service industry to streamline operations and meet evolving customer expectations.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/hundreds-taco-bell-drive-thrus-ai-operated-by-end-2024-2024-7