McDonald’s to use Google AI Gemini to deliver 'hotter, fresher food'

McDonald's partnership with Google for AI is slated to kick off in 2024.

Prepare for a seismic shift in the fast-food paradigm as McDonald's, the global fast-food giant, aligns forces with Google to usher in an era of artificial intelligence. The strategic partnership, slated to kick off in 2024, extends far beyond mere cosmetic alterations, promising a comprehensive overhaul that will revolutionize operational efficiency and redefine customer experiences across "thousands" of its outlets worldwide.

The initiative goes beyond the familiar territory of ordering kiosks and mobile applications, as McDonald's envisions harnessing generative AI capabilities to optimize operational efficiency by processing extensive datasets. The goal is clear - delivering "hotter, fresher food" by leveraging advanced language models, promising precision in fulfilling orders that goes beyond the ordinary.

Brian Rice, McDonald's Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer, emphasizes the transformative potential of the collaboration: "Connecting our restaurants worldwide to millions of datapoints across our digital ecosystem means tools get sharper, models get smarter, restaurants become easier to operate, and most importantly, the overall experience for our customers and crew gets even better."

Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud's Chief Executive Officer, affirms Google's commitment: "Through this wide-ranging partnership, Google Cloud will help McDonald's seize on new opportunities to transform its business and customer experiences, empowering restaurants worldwide with the latest technologies for near-term impact."

While McDonald's remains tight-lipped on specific details regarding the application of AI, the initiative spans on-site hardware and software enhancements within stores, complemented by services supported by Google Cloud. The focus is on empowering store managers to swiftly identify and implement solutions to mitigate operational disruptions, fostering a proactive approach to problem-solving.

As speculations about the potential impact on human jobs swirl, McDonald's steers clear of direct commentary. Instead, the emphasis is on streamlining operations, with the AI system touted to "reduce complexity" for store crews. Drawing parallels with Wendy's in the US, which is also experimenting with Google Cloud AI for ordering tests, McDonald's aims to bring novel experiences for both crew members and customers.

Read: Google unveils Gemini, its largest AI model, to take on OpenAI

Questions linger about the potential displacement of human roles, but McDonald's frames the AI push as part of a broader strategy. Coinciding with the rollout of a bespoke operating system aimed at harmonizing the mobile app and in-store kiosks, these changes are envisioned to lead to better-informed testing processes and automated solutions, ultimately enhancing overall restaurant operations.