McDonald’s is removing its artificial intelligence (AI) powered ordering technology from its drive-through restaurants in the US. The system, developed by IBM, uses voice recognition software to process orders. However, it has not been entirely reliable, resulting in viral videos of comical misinterpreted orders, such as bacon-topped ice cream and excessive amounts of chicken nuggets. McDonald’s plans to remove the technology from the more than 100 restaurants it has been testing it in by the end of July. Despite this, the company remains confident that AI technology will still play a role in its future restaurants.

The decision to remove the AI technology comes after concerns were initially raised about its potential to replace human workers. However, it has become apparent that replacing restaurant workers with AI may not be as straightforward as initially thought. The mishaps of the AI order-taker have been documented online, with videos showing customers frustrated by incorrect orders. One video shows a woman trying to order caramel ice cream, but the AI adds multiple stacks of butter instead. Another video shows a person’s order getting confused with someone else’s, resulting in nine orders of tea being added to their bill.

Despite the end of this trial, concerns about AI reshaping the workplace persist. IBM stated that it will continue to work with McDonald’s in the future, highlighting the comprehensive capabilities of the technology. While McDonald’s re-evaluates and refines its plans for AI ordering, IBM looks forward to collaborating on other projects. McDonald’s stated that it will continue to explore long-term, scalable solutions for voice ordering and aims to make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.

Original news source: Bacon ice cream and nugget overload sees misfiring McDonald’s AI withdrawn (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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Normal

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to read the article and write a summary of the main points in their own words. They should focus on the reasons why McDonald’s is removing its AI ordering technology and the concerns about AI replacing human workers. After they have finished, have them share their summaries with a partner and discuss any similarities or differences.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask them to discuss their opinions on the use of AI technology in restaurants and whether they think it is a good idea or not. After their discussion, have each group create a poll with three questions related to the topic. They should then share their polls with another group and collect responses. Finally, have each group present their findings and discuss the different opinions.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “AI” on the board. Ask students to brainstorm as many words or phrases related to AI as they can in two minutes. After the time is up, go around the class and have each student share one word or phrase they came up with. Write all the words or phrases on the board and have a class discussion about the different aspects of AI technology.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the pros of using AI technology in restaurants and the other group representing the cons. Give each group a few minutes to brainstorm their arguments and then have them present their points to the class. After both groups have presented, facilitate a class discussion where students can ask questions and challenge each other’s arguments.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine what the future of fast food restaurants will look like in 10 years. Will AI technology be a common feature? How will it impact the customer experience? How will it affect the job market? Have students write down their predictions and then discuss them in small groups. Finally, have each group share their most interesting predictions with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the reason behind McDonald’s decision to remove the AI-powered ordering technology?
2. How has the AI order-taker been unreliable?
3. What are some examples of comical misinterpreted orders caused by the AI technology?
4. Why were concerns initially raised about the AI technology replacing human workers?
5. What are some documented mishaps of the AI order-taker?
6. Despite the end of this trial, what concerns about AI reshaping the workplace still persist?
7. What are IBM’s plans for future collaboration with McDonald’s?
8. When does McDonald’s plan to make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

McDonald’s is removing its artificial intelligence (AI) powered ordering technology from its drive-through restaurants in the US. The system, (1)______ by IBM, uses voice (2)______ software to process (3)______. However, it has not been entirely reliable, resulting in viral videos of comical misinterpreted orders, such as bacon-topped ice cream and (4)______ amounts of chicken nuggets. McDonald’s plans to remove the technology from the more than 100 restaurants it has been testing it in by the end of July. Despite this, the company remains confident that AI (5)______ will still play a role in its (6)______ restaurants.

The decision to remove the AI technology comes after concerns were initially raised about its potential to replace (7)______ workers. However, it has become apparent that replacing restaurant workers with AI may not be as straightforward as initially (8)______. The mishaps of the AI order-taker have been documented online, with videos showing customers frustrated by incorrect orders. One video shows a woman trying to order caramel ice (9)______, but the AI adds multiple stacks of butter instead. Another video shows a person’s order getting confused with someone else’s, (10)______ in nine orders of tea being added to their bill.

Despite the end of this trial, (11)______ about AI reshaping the workplace (12)______. IBM stated that it will (13)______ to work with McDonald’s in the future, highlighting the (14)______ capabilities of the technology. While McDonald’s re-evaluates and refines its plans for AI ordering, IBM looks forward to (15)______ on other projects. McDonald’s stated that it will continue to explore long-term, (16)______ solutions for voice ordering and aims to make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on McDonald’s decision to remove the AI technology from its drive-through restaurants?
2. How would you feel if your order at a fast food restaurant was consistently misinterpreted by an AI system?
3. Do you think AI technology will eventually replace human workers in the restaurant industry? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had a frustrating experience with AI technology? If so, can you describe it?
5. What do you think are the advantages of using AI technology in the restaurant industry?
6. How do you think AI technology could improve the customer experience at fast food restaurants?
7. Do you think it is important for companies like McDonald’s to continue exploring AI solutions despite the mishaps of this trial? Why or why not?
8. Have you ever encountered a situation where technology misunderstood your voice commands? If so, can you describe it?
9. What do you think are the limitations of AI technology in the context of fast food ordering?
10. How do you think the removal of AI technology from McDonald’s drive-through restaurants will impact the company’s reputation?
11. Do you prefer interacting with humans or AI systems when placing orders at restaurants? Why?
12. Have you ever encountered a situation where a human worker at a restaurant made a mistake with your order? If so, can you describe it?
13. What other industries do you think could benefit from the use of AI technology?
14. Do you think AI technology will eventually become more reliable and accurate in understanding customer orders? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the use of AI technology in fast food restaurants could affect job opportunities for human workers?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. artificial
2. technology
3. reliable
4. viral
5. misinterpreted
6. excessive
7. confident
8. potential
9. straightforward
10. mishaps
11. documented
12. reshaping
13. comprehensive
14. scalable
15. informed

Meanings:
(A) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally
(B) Simple and easy to understand or do
(C) Changing the structure or form of something
(D) Capable of being expanded or made larger
(E) Having or showing knowledge of a particular subject or situation
(F) Understood incorrectly
(G) More than what is necessary or normal
(H) Unfortunate accidents or mistakes
(I) The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
(J) Recorded in written or other permanent form
(K) Including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
(L) Quickly and widely spread or popularized, especially through the internet
(M) Consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted
(N) Feeling or showing certainty about something
(O) Having the capacity to develop into something in the future
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What technology is McDonald’s removing from its drive-through restaurants?
(a) Voice recognition software
(b) Artificial intelligence (AI) powered ordering technology
(c) Human workers
(d) Bacon-topped ice cream

2. Who developed the AI technology for McDonald’s?
(a) McDonald’s
(b) Google
(c) IBM
(d) Amazon

3. Why is McDonald’s removing the AI technology?
(a) It is too expensive
(b) It is too complicated to use
(c) It is replacing human workers
(d) It has not been entirely reliable

4. What has been a result of the AI order-taker’s mistakes?
(a) Increased customer satisfaction
(b) Improved efficiency in the drive-through
(c) Decreased wait times
(d) Viral videos of comical misinterpreted orders

5. What concerns were initially raised about the AI technology?
(a) Its lack of reliability
(b) Its high cost
(c) Its potential to replace human workers
(d) Its impact on the environment

6. What mishaps have been documented online regarding the AI order-taker?
(a) Incorrect orders and confused orders
(b) Increased customer satisfaction
(c) Improved efficiency in the drive-through
(d) Decreased wait times

7. What is IBM’s stance on the future of AI technology in McDonald’s?
(a) IBM will continue to work with McDonald’s and highlight the comprehensive capabilities of the technology
(b) IBM believes AI technology should be completely removed from McDonald’s
(c) IBM thinks AI technology is not reliable enough for McDonald’s
(d) IBM has no opinion on the future of AI technology in McDonald’s

8. What is McDonald’s plan for voice ordering in the future?
(a) To completely remove voice ordering from its restaurants
(b) To explore long-term, scalable solutions and make an informed decision by the end of the year
(c) To continue using the AI technology developed by IBM
(d) To rely solely on human workers for voice ordering

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The AI system, developed by IBM, uses voice recognition software to process orders.
2. The decision to keep the AI technology comes after excitement was initially raised about its potential to assist human workers.
3. McDonald’s plans to install the technology in the more than 100 restaurants it has been testing it in by the end of July.
4. Videos online show customers delighted by correct orders made by the AI order-taker.
5. McDonald’s is removing its AI-powered ordering technology from its drive-through restaurants in the US.
6. Despite the end of this trial, concerns about AI reshaping the workplace persist.
7. McDonald’s aims to make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.
8. The AI technology has been unreliable, resulting in viral videos of serious misinterpreted orders.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why is McDonald’s removing its AI-powered ordering technology from its drive-through restaurants?
2. What are some examples of comical misinterpreted orders that have resulted from the AI technology?
3. What were the initial concerns about the AI technology replacing human workers?
4. How have customers reacted to the mishaps of the AI order-taker?
5. What are McDonald’s and IBM’s plans for the future of AI technology in the restaurant industry?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The reason behind McDonald’s decision to remove the AI-powered ordering technology is that it has not been entirely reliable and has resulted in comical misinterpreted orders.

2. The AI order-taker has been unreliable because it has misinterpreted customer orders, resulting in incorrect orders being placed.

3. Some examples of comical misinterpreted orders caused by the AI technology include bacon-topped ice cream and excessive amounts of chicken nuggets.

4. Concerns were initially raised about the AI technology replacing human workers because it was seen as a potential threat to their jobs.

5. Some documented mishaps of the AI order-taker include adding multiple stacks of butter instead of caramel ice cream and confusing someone’s order with someone else’s, resulting in nine orders of tea being added to their bill.

6. Despite the end of this trial, concerns about AI reshaping the workplace still persist because of the potential impact on employment and job security.

7. IBM plans to continue working with McDonald’s in the future and collaborate on other projects.

8. McDonald’s plans to make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) developed
(2) recognition
(3) orders
(4) excessive
(5) technology
(6) future
(7) human
(8) thought
(9) cream
(10) resulting
(11) concerns
(12) persist
(13) continue
(14) comprehensive
(15) collaborating
(16) scalable
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. artificial
Answer: (A) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally

2. technology
Answer: (I) The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

3. reliable
Answer: (M) Consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted

4. viral
Answer: (L) Quickly and widely spread or popularized, especially through the internet

5. misinterpreted
Answer: (F) Understood incorrectly

6. excessive
Answer: (G) More than what is necessary or normal

7. confident
Answer: (N) Feeling or showing certainty about something

8. potential
Answer: (O) Having the capacity to develop into something in the future

9. straightforward
Answer: (B) Simple and easy to understand or do

10. mishaps
Answer: (H) Unfortunate accidents or mistakes

11. documented
Answer: (J) Recorded in written or other permanent form

12. reshaping
Answer: (C) Changing the structure or form of something

13. comprehensive
Answer: (K) Including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something

14. scalable
Answer: (D) Capable of being expanded or made larger

15. informed
Answer: (E) Having or showing knowledge of a particular subject or situation
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What technology is McDonald’s removing from its drive-through restaurants?
Answer: (b) Artificial intelligence (AI) powered ordering technology

2. Who developed the AI technology for McDonald’s?
Answer: (c) IBM

3. Why is McDonald’s removing the AI technology?
Answer: (d) It has not been entirely reliable

4. What has been a result of the AI order-taker’s mistakes?
Answer: (d) Viral videos of comical misinterpreted orders

5. What concerns were initially raised about the AI technology?
Answer: (c) Its potential to replace human workers

6. What mishaps have been documented online regarding the AI order-taker?
Answer: (a) Incorrect orders and confused orders

7. What is IBM’s stance on the future of AI technology in McDonald’s?
Answer: (a) IBM will continue to work with McDonald’s and highlight the comprehensive capabilities of the technology

8. What is McDonald’s plan for voice ordering in the future?
Answer: (b) To explore long-term, scalable solutions and make an informed decision by the end of the year
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The AI system, developed by IBM, uses voice recognition software to process orders. (Answer: True)
2. The decision to keep the AI technology comes after excitement was initially raised about its potential to assist human workers. (Answer: False)
3. McDonald’s plans to install the technology in the more than 100 restaurants it has been testing it in by the end of July. (Answer: False)
4. Videos online show customers delighted by correct orders made by the AI order-taker. (Answer: False)
5. McDonald’s is removing its AI-powered ordering technology from its drive-through restaurants in the US. (Answer: True)
6. Despite the end of this trial, concerns about AI reshaping the workplace persist. (Answer: True)
7. McDonald’s aims to make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year. (Answer: True)
8. The AI technology has been unreliable, resulting in viral videos of serious misinterpreted orders. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧