Domino’s and Microsoft want to use AI to improve the pizza ordering process.
The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based pizza chain and the Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant on Tuesday announced a deal to work together on AI-based strategies to improve the ordering process. Domino’s expects to test new generative AI-based technology in its stores within the next six months.
The companies said they would use Microsoft Cloud and the Azure OpenAI Service to improve the ordering process through personalization and simplification.
Domino’s has already been experimenting with AI to modernize store operations. The company said that it is in the early stages of developing a generative AI assistant with Azure to help store managers with inventory management, ingredient ordering and scheduling.
The company also plans to streamline pizza preparation and quality controls with more predictive tools. The idea is to free store managers’ time so they work more with employees and customers.
“Our collaboration over the next five years will help us serve millions of customers with consistent and engaging ordering experiences, while supporting our corporate stores, franchisees and their respective team members with tools to make store operations more efficient and reliable,” Kelly Garcia, Domino’s chief technology officer, said in a statement.
Domino’s and Microsoft plan to establish an “Innovation Lab” pairing company leaders with “world class engineers to accelerate the time to market for store and ordering innovations.” The companies also say they are “committed to responsible AI practices that protect customer data and privacy.”
“As consumer preferences rapidly evolve, generative AI has emerged as a game changer for meeting new demands and transforming the customer experience,” said Shelley Bransten, VP global retail, consumer goods and gaming with Microsoft.
Artificial intelligence has become increasingly common inside restaurants, with chains using the technology to take orders, do back-of-house tasks and make recommendations to customers. Large-scale chains in particular are in something of an arms race to find more uses for AI inside their restaurants to lower labor costs and improve customer service.
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