20/06/2023
Verified
It has been predicted that artificial intelligence will revolutionize computer programming, enable widespread cheating among college students and possibly even destroy the human race. For now, AI chatbots are still learning the art of taking orders for burgers and fries.â
â
At White Castle, Julia is among a freshman class of artificial-intelligence enabled chatbots being put to work in fast-food drive-throughs. Restaurant executives say Julia, as White Castleâs system is called, and its chatbot colleagues can make their restaurants more efficient and free up often-scarce workers to do other jobs. The jury is still out with customers.â
â
Across 10 orders at an Indiana White Castle on a recent day, three customers asked to talk to a human attendant after conversing with Julia, either because they preferred human interaction or because Julia misheard orders. One woman was peeved that her jalapeÃąo slider order hadnât come out correctly. Others shouted repeatedly that they accepted the terms and conditions of ordering through a robot, though they otherwise ordered without incident.â
â
Besides White Castle, McDonaldâs, Wendyâs and Dunkinâ are all testing AI-driven chatbots in drive-throughs. The bots âtalkâ through drive-through speakers, with the order tally popping up on a screen for customers to review. Workers on headsets listen in, ready to intervene if things go awry.â
â
The robots, which employ conversational-style AI algorithms used by technologies such as OpenAIâs ChatGPT, can take burger orders, substitute cheddar for American cheese and thank customers for their patronage. They also are programmed to encourage customers to binge on an extra burger or a dessert. Unlike a human, chatbots are never shy about selling more, nor do they need a break or get distracted by other business, said Michael Guinan, White Castleâs vice president of operations services.â
Source-