From CNET: Fast food companies have been experimenting with integrating artificial intelligence into their restaurants, from Flippy the burger-flipping robot at White Castle to dynamic pricing at Wendy's. One arena where AI seems to really be struggling, though, is at the drive-thru -- and Taco Bell is the latest to experience AI mishaps at the order box. After taking 2 million orders with AI, Taco Bell has reached one conclusion: we still need humans.
"We're learning a lot, I'm going to be honest with you," Dane Mathews, Taco Bell's chief digital and technology officer, told The Wall Street Journal in a story published Thursday. "I think like everybody, sometimes it lets me down, but sometimes it really surprises me."
The revelation comes after Taco Bell's new AI drive-thru ordering system was the subject of memes online, primarily on TikTok, where people had a great time showing off flaws in the new technology. In one video, a customer caught the AI in a loop, continually asking what they wanted to drink until they became so frustrated that they drove away.
In another video, a customer started ordering McDonald's food at Taco Bell, and the AI just let them do it, and even suggested McDonald's dipping sauces before the drive-thru worker cut in to complete the order properly.
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