What is McDonald's doing with AI?

On the floor

1. Jun 8, 2026Pilot
   AI drive-thru ordering tested at five Chicago-area McDonald's

   The test covers five restaurants. McDonald's says it has not confirmed plans for a wider rollout.

   FOX 9 · Fast Food and Counter Workers

2. Jun 5, 2026Pilot
   McDonald's pilots ArchIQ, an AI system built with Google

   Announced as part of its "McDonald's Next" strategy, ArchIQ includes a voice drive-thru assistant and is meant to streamline kitchen work. McDonald's has not said which restaurants take part.

   Washington Times · Fast Food and Counter Workers, Fast Food Cooks

3. Jun 2024Pulled back
   McDonald's ends its first AI drive-thru test

   McDonald's removed AI ordering from its drive-thrus in 2024 after frequent order errors.

   Mashed · Fast Food and Counter Workers

Jobs affected

• Fast Food and Counter Workers58m of 8h touched · 3.9 million workers · $31k · +5.8% by 2035Where AI or robots show up most: Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary (38m a shift, robots)
• Fast Food Cooks2h 13m of 8h touched · 641,000 workers · $31k · +0.6% by 2035Where AI or robots show up most: Operate large-volume cooking equipment, such as grills, deep-fat fryers, or griddles (1h 14m a shift, robots)