Taco Bell has created a tech-driven drive-thru experience. By the end of 2024, the well-known US-based fast food chain will deploy artificial intelligence (AI) in hundreds of its locations. This move seeks to make it faster and easier to order your favorite tacos or burritos than ever before.
The AI system is already operational in over 100 Taco Bell's drive-thrus across thirteen states. It serves both customers and Taco Bell workers simultaneously. For customers, it implies shorter wait times and more accurate orders. Regarding Taco Bell workers, their jobs become less demanding and they can concentrate on other important things.
Here's how it works: When you pull up to the drive-thru, instead of a human voice, an AI will say hello to you. That intelligent system would then take your order from you again and transmit it directly to the kitchen staffs. No need for panicking! It was designed to be friendly and user-friendly just like talking with a real person.
Taco Bell is not alone to embark on this AI journey. Yum! Brands, its parent company, is testing similar technology at some KFC outlets in Australia too. They may even bring these AI powered drive thrus into some other Yum! Brands restaurants around the globe such as Pizza Hut or The Habit Burger Grill if everything goes according to plan.
This turn towards AI forms part of a broader Yum! Brand effort toward embracing technology with digital sales now accounting for over half their revenue; indicating that tech is the future secret recipe for success in fast-food industry.
While some people might fear that robots are replacing human employees; Taco Bell claims that AI aids but does not replace its human workers efforts in driving sales inside the restaurant by providing seamless customer service through digital channels like Uber Eats or Door Dash.
So don't be shocked if an AI takes your order next time you want a late-night Crunchwrap Supreme. That's just Taco Bell's way of bringing some of the future into your favorite drive-thru.