Taco Bell Rethinks AI Drive-Thru After Operational Failures
The fast-food chain is pivoting to a hybrid human-AI model after its voice ordering system at 500+ locations was plagued by glitches.
Taco Bell is scaling back its ambitious deployment of AI-powered voice ordering systems in its drive-thrus, according to reports from late August 2025. The decision comes after the technology, rolled out at more than 500 locations, was plagued by glitches, customer frustration, and viral videos exposing its limitations in real-world scenarios.
The fast-food chain's experience serves as a high-profile case study on the gap between AI's promise and its current practical capabilities in complex, consumer-facing roles.
Viral Fails and Customer Frustration
The system's issues gained widespread attention through viral videos on platforms like TikTok. In one widely circulated clip, …
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