Chatbots at the drive-thru are just the beginning

“`html McDonald’s became one of the first major fast-food chains to use an AI chatbot for ordering at drive-thrus in Chicago, starting…

By AI Maestro May 17, 2026 1 min read
Chatbots at the drive-thru are just the beginning

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  • McDonald’s became one of the first major fast-food chains to use an AI chatbot for ordering at drive-thrus in Chicago, starting with 10 locations in 2021.
  • The move was part of McDonald’s broader strategy to integrate advanced technologies into their operations after acquiring a voice technology startup in 2019 and partnering with IBM on this initiative.

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### Takeaways
– **Integration of AI**: McDonald’s is pioneering the use of AI for customer service, starting with simple chatbot interactions at drive-thrus.
– **Technological Leap**: This marks a significant step in how businesses are adopting advanced technologies like voice-based ordering to enhance efficiency and convenience.
– **Future Trends**: The success of this pilot could pave the way for more sophisticated AI-driven experiences in fast-food operations, potentially expanding beyond chatbots.


Originally published at theverge.com. Curated by AI Maestro.

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