McDonald's AI drive-thru hits 90% accuracy; CFO says it won't lead to staff cuts

McDonald’s announced that its AI-enabled drive-thru system called Archy can now take orders in both English and Spanish with 90% accuracy. According to a report by CBS, the company said that the system could save at least 50 labour hours per week at a typical restaurant by streamlining order-taking. CFO Ian Borden also stressed that the intention is not to reduce staff but to free employees to focus on hospitality and food preparation tasks, such as hand-breading chicken.$8.5 billion global modernization plan of McDonald’sThe announcement came as McDonald’s unveiled a $8.5 billion investment plan over the next decade to modernize its 46,000 restaurants worldwide. CEO Chris Kempczinski said the company must improve productivity and capture market share in a flat fast-food traffic environment.