McOver! McDonald’s ends its AI program for drive-throughs but says it could return in future

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Insiders told CNBC that the system had trouble understanding some people's accents, while industry analysts have previously alleged that McDonald’s franchisees found the technology "underwhelming". "After thoughtful review, McDonald’s has decided to end our current global partnership with IBM on automated order taking beyond this year," a McDonald's spokesperson confirmed to The Independent. Fast food chains including Wendy's, Carl's Jr, Dunkin, and Hardee's are all testing or already using AI technology in their drive-throughs, while Taco Bell and KFC owner Yum Brands has said it wants to adopt an "AI-first mentality". Peter Saleh, a restaurant industry analyst with the banking and brokerage firm BTIG, wrote last year that McDonald's franchisees were not finding much value in the test, according to CNBC.