McDonald's Upgrades 43,000 Restaurants with AI Technology

McDonald's is upgrading its 43,000 restaurants with new technology, including AI-enabled drive-throughs and internet-connected kitchen equipment, to improve customer and worker experiences amid operational challenges and sluggish sales. The initiative, supported by a partnership with Google Cloud, aims to enhance efficiency and alleviate stress for staff managing high customer volumes. The introduction of edge computing will help predict equipment failures and improve order accuracy, contributing to McDonald's goal of increasing loyalty customers from 175 million to 250 million by 2027. This technological shift comes as the fast-food sector faces economic pressures, particularly affecting low-income diners. The deployment of AI tools reflects a broader trend among businesses leveraging technology to optimize operations and enhance decision-making processes. As companies increasingly adopt AI, the focus remains on balancing automation with human insight to maintain accuracy and reliability in customer service.