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My Experience with AI at the Drive-Thru

Yesterday, I had a unique experience when I ordered my lunch from an AI operating a drive-thru. To be honest, my interaction was both mundane and monotonous. Despite being heralded as a new frontier in customer service, it felt distinctly ordinary, almost boring. This seems like a glimpse into a future where such experiences may become routine for all of us.

The Reality of AI in Small-Town Drive-Thrus

Interestingly, the AI drive-thru operator I encountered isn’t some cutting-edge technology installed in an upscale market designed to attract high-value consumers. I reside on the outskirts of a small South Carolina city with a population just above 140,000. It’s a bustling place, but hardly a burgeoning tech hub. Fast food chains are abundant here, and among them is Bojangles. Personally, I find it mediocre—better than KFC but not quite up to the mark of Popeyes. If you’re hungry, it’s passable, but definitely not something you crave.

Last year, Bojangles announced plans to deploy an AI agent at its drive-thru. The AI system is amusingly named “Bo-Linda,” developed by the Israeli technology firm Hi-Auto.

Bo-Linda’s Promises and Results

According to the Bojangles website, “Bo-Linda™ can take guest orders 96+% of the time with no human intervention,” and aims to enhance overall customer satisfaction by streamlining order-taking from team members while ensuring a consistent experience for guests.

When Bo-Linda finally made its way to South Carolina, I was intrigued enough to check it out. To be frank, the experience was crushingly dull. I couldn’t help but see this as just a preview of what’s to come as AI becomes ubiquitous in our daily lives. While Bo-Linda took my order with a level of efficiency that far surpassed that of typical fast food workers, I found its incessant attempts to upsell quite grating.

The Upselling Experience

“Do you want to upgrade your drink to our new watermelon iced tea?” it asked.

“No thank you,” I replied.

“Would you like to add our new peach cobbler for $1.99?”

“No thank you,” I said again.

“May I get you anything else?”

“No, that’s it.”

“Would you like to round up for military scholarships?”

Once more, I said, “No thank you.”

Finally, it concluded, “You’re welcome. Thank you. Your total is $10.89.”

When Joseph Cox, the founder of 404 Media, watched the video of my interactions, he couldn’t resist making fun of my habitual “no thank yous.” It’s a Southern trait to be extra polite, even when communicating with a machine. Despite my awareness of conversing with an AI, I felt compelled to maintain a level of niceness.

The Aftermath of AI Interactions

Upon reflecting on the experience, I couldn’t deny that it was remarkably painless. My order was uncomplicated yet delivered accurately. The machine navigated through the process without stumbling or asking for clarifications, demonstrating a surprising degree of proficiency. Conversations with friends and a quick scroll through social media confirmed that many others had similar lukewarm experiences with Bo-Linda.

The AI at the drive-thru, much like the chicken it served me, was merely acceptable—forgettable at best.

The Bigger Picture: AI’s Growing Presence

Later that day, while researching for this piece, concerns crossed my mind. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, mentioned that user habits, like saying “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT, have cost the company tens of millions of dollars. This made me wonder: How much water and energy have I wasted being polite to Bo-Linda, the chatbot?

Sometimes, it feels as though the answers to such questions might not really matter. We are hurtling toward an AI-driven future, regardless of our personal preferences or concerns. Data centers are emerging across America, and nuclear energy is being revived, all to make fast food chains run a bit more efficiently and reduce friction for those waiting in drive-thrus.

A New Technological Era

This is the nature of how new technology gradually assimilates into our lives. One day, you wake up and discover cameras are everywhere, capable of recognizing your face and tracking your movements around the city. You may glance around to see everyone engrossed in their smartphones. This transition occurs so subtly that you hardly notice it. Along the way, there are endless warnings and signs—but they often go unheeded.

Yet, even with these compelling insights, my experience remains unchanged: it was as dull and routine as ordering fried chicken at a drive-thru.

Making Sense of AI Interactions with legal Assistance

As AI technologies like Bo-Linda become a standard part of our daily routines, the legal implications surrounding their operations could become increasingly complex. This is where AI legalese decoder can step in to provide support. This service can help clarify the legal fine print associated with using AI in various customer service scenarios, such as liability for faulty transactions or privacy concerns regarding data collection. By demystifying these legal issues, AI legalese decoder empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their interactions with AI technologies, ensuring that they are well aware of their rights and protections in this evolving landscape.

In summary, while my interaction with Bo-Linda was nothing to write home about, it does raise essential questions about the implications of AI in our lives and the importance of understanding the legal frameworks that accompany these advancements.

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