A Starbucks store is shown in Encinitas, California, on February 24, 2025.
Mike Blake | Reuters
Starbucks plans to launch an artificial intelligence generative assistant created with Microsoft The Azure Openai platform at 35 locations this month as part of its strategy to simplify the work of the baristas and accelerate the service in their coffees.
The coffee chain showed the new technology to more than 14,000 North American store managers in its leadership experience in Las Vegas on Tuesday. A broad launch of the “Green Dot Assist” platform in the United States and Canada is scheduled for the company's 2026 prosecutor, which begins in autumn.
The three -day event occurs when Starbucks presses to relive its slow US sales and “return to Starbucks”, since CEO Brian Niccol described the effort since he assumed the role last year. Niccol's priorities include reducing service times to four minutes per order. Quick and precise answers to Barista's questions could help achieve that goal.
“It is just another example of how innovation technology is at the service of our partners and making sure that we are doing everything possible to simplify operations, make your jobs a little easier, maybe a little more fun, so they can do what they do best,” said Starbucks Technology director, Deb Hall, Lefevre, CNBC.
Instead of going through the manuals or accessing Starbucks intranet, baristas can use a tablet behind the counter equipped with a green point assistance to obtain answers to a variety of questions, from how to make an agitated espresso to solve equipment errors. Baristas can write or verbally ask their consultations in conversation language.
As the IA assistant evolves, Starbucks has even larger plans for his next generation. These ideas include automatically create a ticket with him for equipment problems or generate suggestions for a substitute when a barista asks outside work, according to Lefevre.
Starbucks is expanding its relationship with Microsoft approximately one year after the CEO of the technology giant, Satya Nadella, renounced the Starbucks Board of Directors.
Since Operai launched chatgpt at the end of 2022, companies have been trying to implement the generative AI in their own operations, imagine the exaggeration of AI can reduce expenses and perhaps even increase the prices of their actions. Walmart and JPMorgan Chase are among the corporate giants who have implemented AI attendees for their workforce.
But chatbots are not always a perfect solution. Sometimes they can provide inaccurate responses, known as “hallucinations”, which could mean another headache instead of an easy resolution. Lefevre said that the company's association with Microsoft includes a grounding engine that guarantees the accuracy of the information provided.
Other restaurant companies have also been looking for AI to simplify the work of their restaurants and improve operations. For example, Yum Brands has been associated with Nvidia To implement IA orders, computer vision evaluations with NVIDIA and the performance of the AI promoted. But the AI agreements have not always been successful. McDonald's He finished his association with IBM After his proof of the request of Ai Drive-Thru did not meet the expectations.
Another new exhibition technology in the leadership experience includes the latest generation of starbucks espresso machines and a more intuitive point of sale system.
Lefevre said that starting baristas have been learning to use the new POS in just an hour. In addition, technology can offer personalized recommendations and repeated orders of loyal customers, which helps Starbucks achieve the personalized touch that seeks to return to their coffees.
