McDonald¡¯s Partners With Google AI To Ensure Freshness Of Fries

McDonald's is collaborating with Google to begin deploying generative AI in 2024, when "thousands" of locations will receive hardware and software improvements.

Why is McDonald's employing Google AI?

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McDonald's will be able to utilise generative AI on vast volumes of data to optimize operations, in addition to upgrades to other systems such as ordering kiosks and the company's mobile app.

According to the corporation, at least one effect will be "hotter, fresher food" for customers. Large orders of hot fries served by large language models? It's unclear what that implies, but we can read between the lines and predict that more AI-driven automation will be available in a drive-through near you in the coming years.

What does McDonald's have to say?

The McDonald's statement likewise avoids the issue of AI replacing human labour, stating merely that the technology will "reduce complexity" for store staff and "power exciting new experiences for crew and customers." Wendy's, another Google Cloud AI user, took a similar stance when it began testing AI ordering earlier this year. As of June, it was only available in a single store in Columbus, Ohio, so the verdict is yet out.

How does the future look?

Even still, there's a strong odour of "robots replacing human workers" in the air. The push for generative AI coincides with the launch of a new "bespoke" operating system to unify the experience across the McDonald's mobile app and store kiosks.

According to McD's, the modifications would result in "more informed tests and automated solutions to enhance restaurant operations." Fake Drake drive-through attendants? Chatbots for McRibs? It's difficult to say. In any case, we won't know for a while whether anyone is genuinely enjoying it.

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