McDonald’s is testing virtual managers: artificial intelligence is coming to the kitchen
Fast food giant McDonald’s is experimenting with a generative artificial intelligence solution to create ‘virtual managers’. The aim is to relieve management teams of the most repetitive tasks, while optimising kitchen operations.
McDonald’s recently announced that it is developing a generative artificial intelligence solution designed to assist – or even partially replace – human managers in certain tasks. Tested in a small group of pilot restaurants, this system is presented as an AI ‘assistant’ capable of carrying out management tasks such as schedule planning, stock monitoring and equipment supervision.
Based on technologies similar to those of ChatGPT, this AI aims to support management teams in their daily work by providing recommendations, alerts or reminders in real time. It relies on locally collected data to propose concrete actions, such as adjusting staffing over a specific period or ordering products before they run out.
Automating management to free up human time
For McDonald’s, the challenge is clear: to reduce the mental load on restaurant managers, who are often preoccupied with repetitive administrative tasks to the detriment of the field. ‘We want to give teams back the time to focus on what really matters: customer service and operational quality,’ explains Brian Rice, the group’s Chief Information Officer.
The system is not intended to replace managers, but to offer them a digital co-pilot, capable of interpreting operational data and proposing informed decisions. For example, it could alert a manager if a drinks machine starts to malfunction or suggest staff adjustments to anticipate a peak in activity.
A gradual and cautious roll-out
McDonald’s emphasises that this technology is still in the experimental phase. The tests carried out in a few establishments are used to assess the relevance of the recommendations provided by the AI, but also to measure its acceptability by the teams.
This project is part of a broader automation and digitisation strategy that the group has been pursuing for several years. In addition to ordering kiosks, mobile applications and robotic kitchens, this new technological brick could profoundly transform the day-to-day management of restaurants.
For McDonald’s, the goal is to remain at the cutting edge of innovation while adapting to growing expectations in terms of efficiency, speed and personalisation.
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Image source: Boshoku-Unsplash
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