Recently, the well-known American fast food chainTaco Bellannounced that it will expand testing of its artificial intelligence (AI) ordering system. According to a press release from Taco Bell's parent company, Yum! Brands, the company plans to roll out AI voice technology to "hundreds" of Taco Bell stores by the end of 2023, marking a significant step toward smart service in the fast food industry.
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Currently, Yum! Brands has tested its Taco Bell drop-off-free ordering at more than 100 Taco Bell drop-off locations in the U.S. "Speech AI"Technology. The pilot program has been underway for about two years, according to Bloomberg. Considering that Taco Bell has more than 7,400 stores in the U.S., this expanded test is still relatively small, but it certainly shows the company's confidence in AI technology.
Yum! Brands said the introduction of AI technology is designed to reduce employee workload, improve order accuracy and reduce customer wait times. The company emphasized that the ultimate goal of these improvements is to "drive profitable growth for Taco Bell, Yum! Brands and its franchisees." Notably, Yum! Brands also plans to roll out a similar voice-enabled AI system at five KFC restaurants in Australia, showing that the company is exploring AI applications on a global scale.
However, the fast food industry's attempts at AI are currently showing mixed results. For example, burger chain Wendy's has shown great enthusiasm for the results of its AI tests, while McDonald's recently withdrew its plans. This contrast highlights the challenges and uncertainties that AI technology may face in practical applications.
For consumers, this means they may encounter an AI assistant when ordering at Taco Bell. The system may recommend dishes based on the customer's preferences, such as suggesting an order of the company's signature Chalupa product.This intelligent service promises to enhance the dining experience, but it has also sparked a debate about the impact of technology on jobs.