Starbucks brews up AI to support baristas instead of replace them

After lackluster results from customer-facing automation, Starbucks is now redirecting its tech ambitions toward helping its own employees.

The coffee giant announced a new generative AI initiative called "Green Dot Assist" at its Leadership Experience event in Las Vegas yesterday. Described as a "coffeehouse companion" for baristas, the AI assistant is due to be trialed at 35 Starbucks locations.

According to the company, Green Dot Assist will be available to baristas and managers via iPads in the store. Starbucks said that it hopes the AI will save employees time spent "flipping through manuals or searching for answers" that could be answered by a bot.

As explained in a video, Green Dot Assist can be used to look up drink recipes, find steps to troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment, or create a help ticket if in-store repairs fail. Starbucks noted that managers also can use the tool to fill scheduling gaps. The AI ...