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Taco Bell rethinks AI drive-through after man orders 18,000 waters

Posted on 8/29/25 at 3:54 pm
Posted by Dr RC
The Money Pit
Member since Aug 2011
60977 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 3:54 pm
quote:

Taco Bell is rethinking its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to power drive-through restaurants in the US after comical videos of the tech making mistakes were viewed millions of times.

In one clip, a customer seemingly crashed the system by ordering 18,000 water cups, while in another a person got increasingly angry as the AI repeatedly asked him to add more drinks to his order.

Since 2023, the fast-food chain has introduced the technology at over 500 locations in the US, with the aim of reducing mistakes and speeding up orders.

But the AI seems to have served up the complete opposite.



quote:

The issues have been building online as disgruntled customers take to social media to complain about the service - with many pointing out glitches and issues.

One clip on Instagram, which has been viewed over 21.5 million times, shows a man ordering "a large Mountain Dew" and the AI voice continually replying "and what will you drink with that?".



quote:

Last year McDonald's withdrew AI from its own drive-throughs as the tech misinterpreted customer orders - resulting in one person getting bacon added to their ice cream in error, and another having hundreds of dollars worth of chicken nuggets mistakenly added to their order.


LINK
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
135163 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 3:54 pm to
Again?
Posted by Master of Sinanju
Member since Feb 2012
11853 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 3:56 pm to
quote:

AI repeatedly asked him to add more drinks to his order.


This happens to me at bars all the time.
Posted by LegendInMyMind
Member since Apr 2019
71115 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 4:01 pm to
Do you think AI is capable of understanding and respecting this gif?
Posted by EastWestConnection
Denver/Shenzhen/Belfast
Member since Jul 2024
1103 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 4:05 pm to
no and then!
Posted by BatonRougePlantRat
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Member since Jan 2023
44 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 4:08 pm to
Fatty tip for Taco Bell, use the app. I’m still eating there 2-3 times per month as I have been for 15 years now and you need to use the box combos so you don’t feel completely ripped off. Closest one to me in BR is on College and I regret it every time. The entire experience sucks. AI robot at the menu sounds creepy, any request can prompt it to bug out and have a person jump on, the customizations are never done, you get what they feel like, the wait time


Fuk I need to get out of this BR shithole
Posted by Cockopotamus
Member since Jan 2013
15928 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 4:25 pm to
quote:

a man ordering "a large Mountain Dew" and the AI voice continually replying "and what will you drink with that?".


Posted by BatonrougeCajun
Somewhere in Texas
Member since Feb 2008
7374 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 4:42 pm to
This is objectively hilarious
Posted by Sp0728
Your head
Member since Aug 2018
2199 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 4:51 pm to
quote:

no and then!


Hahahaha.
Posted by RazorBroncs
Possesses the largest
Member since Sep 2013
15748 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 5:01 pm to
quote:

Closest one to me in BR is on College and I regret it every time. The entire experience sucks.
quote:

I’m still eating there 2-3 times per month


Glutton for punishment?


Or better yet, just a glutton. I can't imagine eating Taco Bell every 10 days on average. What are your other fast food stops, since TB obviously isn't the only one if you're eating it that frequently
Posted by BatonRougePlantRat
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Member since Jan 2023
44 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 5:07 pm to
Actually this is my treat and I like to try the new items. Mostly keto diet to offset the alcohol and crap food I eat

Posted by 6R12
Louisiana
Member since Feb 2005
11437 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 8:13 pm to
Only a matter of time til AI is more integrated into our lives but we ain't there yet.
Posted by doc baklava
Between heaven and hell
Member since Oct 2020
1034 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 8:23 pm to
100s of chicken nuggets is never a mistake.

I'll take AI over "haaaaaanh?" Any day
Posted by CalcuttaTigah
Member since Jul 2009
969 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 8:26 pm to
Wtf are you complaining about BR for? My man you are going through a nation-wide fast food restaurant powered by AI. This is your choice.
This post was edited on 8/29/25 at 8:27 pm
Posted by LSUMJ
BR
Member since Sep 2004
20591 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 9:51 pm to
The last 2 times ive been to an AI taco bell- ive ordered the #2 combo (the 3 tacos)

And both time its shown 8 or 9 #2 combos on the screen for like 80 bucks
Have to yell cancel and start over
Posted by Midget Death Squad
Meme Magic
Member since Oct 2008
28014 posts
Posted on 8/29/25 at 10:57 pm to
Posted by tketaco
Sunnyside, Houston
Member since Jan 2010
21474 posts
Posted on 8/30/25 at 1:42 am to
Some dont realize the relief one feels when they notice they dont have to deal wirh Black Folk at food. Please bring more AI.
Posted by Stealth Matrix
29°59'55.98"N 90°05'21.85"W
Member since Aug 2019
10782 posts
Posted on 8/30/25 at 4:55 am to
quote:

Last year McDonald's withdrew AI from its own drive-throughs as the tech misinterpreted customer orders - resulting in one person getting bacon added to their ice cream in error

I would ask how the workers don't realize this is an obvious mistake, but.....
Posted by TaderSalad
mudbug territory
Member since Jul 2014
25824 posts
Posted on 8/30/25 at 5:01 am to
AI never fathomed how stupid the general populous would be.


This will be how we win.
Posted by SLCGumpFB25
SLC
Member since Jun 2025
991 posts
Posted on 8/30/25 at 5:35 am to
quote:

Do you think AI is capable of understanding and respecting this gif?


Well...


quote:

That’s a really thoughtful question.

AI can analyze a GIF—detect motion, objects, text, emotions, or cultural references—but “understanding” and “respecting” are different.

Understanding: AI can recognize the content and even infer its possible meaning in context (e.g., “this GIF shows someone bowing as a gesture of respect”). But that’s a kind of pattern recognition and association, not lived experience.

Respecting: Respect involves values, intention, and choice. AI doesn’t have beliefs, feelings, or personal commitments. So while it can be trained to simulate respectful responses (e.g., not misusing a sacred or sensitive image), the respect is modeled behavior, not genuine sentiment.


So:
?? AI can describe, interpret, and even flag when a GIF should be treated with sensitivity.
?? But whether it can truly understand or respect it in the human sense—probably not, because those rely on consciousness, culture, and empathy.

Do you want me to give an example of how I would “interpret” and then “simulate respect” for a GIF you have in mind?
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