McDonald's is ending its artificial intelligence drive-thru order taking program in a partnership with IBM, impacting over 100 locations that were testing the technology since 2021. McDonald's USA Chief Restaurant Officer stated that after a careful review, they will explore voice ordering solutions more broadly. The decision comes as California's $20 minimum wage resulted in fast-food price hikes and lower customer traffic. McDonald's goal was to simplify operations and create a faster, improved experience for customers through automated voice ordering. Despite ending the current partnership with IBM on automated order taking, McDonald's plans to continue exploring voice ordering solutions moving forward. IBM, on the other hand, asserts that their technology is known for its comprehensive capabilities and accuracy in demanding conditions. McDonald's will evaluate long-term, scalable solutions for a future voice ordering system by the end of the year.