Wendy’s International Inc. is partnering with Google LLC in the creation of a chatbot-powered drive-thru, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

Amid what has become a generative AI boom of late, it comes as no surprise that a fast-food chain is playing with the idea of replacing human servers with bots. This first AI server, however, will collect orders for burgers and fries at just one location in Columbus, Ohio.

Like all generative AI, the bot will be trained using a large language model, or LLM, but will also be fluent in unique expressions to the outlet, such as the terms “biggie bag” or “JBC,” a junior bacon cheeseburger. The bot will also be trained to understand different accents and dialects and will — or should — be able to cut through the noise of music or chatter coming from the vehicle.

“Google Cloud’s generative AI technology creates a huge opportunity for us to deliver a truly differentiated, faster and frictionless experience for our customers, and allows our employees to continue focusing on making great food and building relationships with fans that keep them coming back time and again,” Wendy’s Chief Executive Todd Penegor said in a statement to the media.

How much faster and frictionless is anyone’s guess. No sooner than the bot takes the order, it will appear at the back end of the restaurant, and the cooks will make the meal. The problem is, will the bot be more prone to getting it wrong than human servers? One thing for sure is that if this takes off, Wendy’s could save a lot of money.

Goldman Sachs has said it thinks about 300 million jobs could be affected by such generative AI, saying in a report that 18% of the global workforce could be replaced in the coming years. Along with legal services, finance and media jobs, service work is expected to be on the list of jobs that will be automated. Even so, McDonald’s AI-Powered Drive-Thru that was introduced recently seems to have left a lot of customers frustrated and angry after experiencing varying levels of friction and hold-ups.

That said, the generative AI market is set to reach some startling heights, with analysts saying the current $11.3 billion market could hit $109.37 billion by 2030.

Photo: Mike Mozart/Flickr