According to CoinMeta, Starbucks ( SBUX.O ) is researching the integration of artificial intelligence technology into its Drive-Thru ( drive-thrus ) ordering service, preparing to test a AI model that runs in the background to help baristas enter orders more accurately and efficiently when interacting with customers. CEO Brian Niccol stated during a teleconference on Thursday that the company hopes to improve service speed while allowing employees to focus more on communicating with customers. Starbucks is also exploring technologies that can identify customers upon their arrival, in order to display personalized digital menus and simplify the payment process. For years, large chain restaurants have been testing AI technologies for Drive-Thru, but such technologies have not yet been widely adopted across the industry. Burger King currently has no plans to more broadly promote its pilot AI ordering system and indicates that customers prefer to interact with real people. McDonald's is also testing its own AI ordering system, claiming that this technology could save dozens of hours per week for each restaurant, allowing employees to devote their time to other tasks.