McDonald's drive thru: AI tests, privacy lawsuit and local fights

McDonald’s drive thru is testing a new AI ordering system at five U.S. locations, the company confirmed in June as it pilots automated voice technology to handle orders and reduce staff interaction.

The pilot, reported by Good Morning America, is limited to five restaurants and uses conversational AI to take orders at the speaker, a step McDonald’s says could change how the mcdonalds drive thru operates if expanded.

Empty drive‑thru lane at dusk, a single anonymous car waiting near the ordering speaker, no logos or people visible

The test follows an earlier, larger experiment: McDonald’s previously ended a partnership with IBM in 2024 that had rolled AI order-taking technology out to more than 100 restaurants, according to CNBC and Restaurant Business Online.

That 2024 program was paused amid customer complaints and operational problems, and separate litigation has alleged the use of voice and biometric data in drive-thru systems could violate privacy laws such as Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, according to court filings and legal coverage.

Nighttime view of an anonymous fast-food restaurant exterior with a proposed drive-thru lane, empty sidewalk and nearby residential street

Local fights over new or expanded McDonald’s drive-thru facilities remain common in U.S. towns, with residents raising concerns about traffic, noise and late-night operations; those planning disputes are a separate but recurring challenge for the company as it tests new technology.

Industry observers say the latest pilot reflects McDonald’s renewed push into automation after the 2024 pause, while lawyers note that any system collecting voiceprints or audio for personalization could attract further privacy claims if states’ biometric laws apply.

How the pilot proceeds — whether it expands beyond five locations, how accurate the AI proves in noisy drive-thru conditions, and whether McDonald’s adapts data collection practices — will shape both local planning debates and the legal scrutiny the technology faces.

Sources

Good Morning America — reported McDonald’s is testing AI-powered drive-thru technology at five U.S. locations.
ABC News — produced video coverage and reporting on the June pilot announcement.
CNBC — reported McDonald’s ended its IBM AI drive-thru partnership in 2024 and shut off the technology by late July of that year.
Restaurant Business Online — reported details on McDonald’s decision to end the earlier test with IBM in 2024.
FindLaw / court filings — provided information on lawsuits alleging McDonald’s drive-thru technology collected voice/biometric data raising BIPA issues.
Biometric Update — reported that McDonald’s paused its AI voice ordering system developed with IBM in 2024 amid scrutiny.

About the author, Chris Martin

Chris Martin is a US economics and current affairs journalist covering the intersection of policy, markets, and everyday financial life. With a background in financial reporting and a sharp eye for the stories behind the numbers, Chris brings clarity to some of the most complex issues shaping the American economy today. At ECIKS.org, Chris covers breaking developments across domestic economic policy, business strategy, Wall Street movements, and political decisions that ripple through financial markets. His reporting blends rigorous data analysis with accessible storytelling making critical information useful for investors, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens alike.