Fast-Food Chains Leverage AI for Supply Chain Efficiency, Cost Savings

AI-driven personalization also means interfaces can adjust to a user’s needs in real time. Companies like Devon Energy and BP are leveraging AI to optimize drilling operations. AI-driven models used by BP accelerate and reduce the cost of oil production by identifying potential issues and guiding drill bits with greater precision. Similarly, Devon Energy has used machine learning models to increase drilling efficiency by 15%, highlighting AI’s role in modernizing traditional energy extraction methods. EWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content.

The bigger picture: Why continuous improvement may matter more than perfect automation

Speech recognition transcribes customer calls into text in real time, eliminating the need for agents to take notes. Once the conversation is transcribed, NLP interprets the meaning behind the texts, identifying key details, like customer requests. These AI technologies save time, increase documentation accuracy, and speed up teams’ responses. In summary, 2024’s AI push in banking was not only about efficiency and personalization, but also about humanizing digital experiences and leaving no customer behind. From adjusting to a user’s pace (as simple as noticing if someone is scrolling slowly and might need extra help) to providing emotionally intelligent responses via chat, AI made digital banking more accommodating.

• A chatbot can also help introduce a new brand to customers, providing preemptive customer service to a specific group of consumers, such as new parents.
• A Cornerstone Advisors study showed digital banking users reached 77% of checking account customers in 2024, reflecting that digital adoption is at near-saturation among many demographics.
• The term is now regularly appended to all manner of tools and technologies, even when it’s unclear exactly what role AI plays in delivering desired outcomes.
• These customers are already a small group with specific needs, and they don’t want to be treated as though they’re entirely replaceable to the company or service they’ve chosen to use to suit those needs.
• Failing to address AI-related concerns can lead to operational inefficiencies, legal repercussions, and diminished customer satisfaction.

First Round Capital’s bet signals confidence in human-AI collaboration over full automation

“We have reduced some of our hiring needs,” Chief Financial and Operations Officer Robin Washington said Wednesday on a call with analysts, citing the implementation of AI tools. For example, she said that 500 customer service workers would be redeployed to different roles within the company this year, saving $50 million. Salesforce Inc. said the use of artificial intelligence tools internally has allowed it to hire fewer workers, another example of a company changing its hiring plans due to the emerging technology. This could require the business to increase meal costs to compensate for the loss, according to Michiel. With AI’s forecasting capabilities, restaurants can predict what customers might order and use this data to buy ingredients, a notoriously tricky part of restaurant supply chain management. A chatbot is an incredibly valuable tool ideal for filtering high-value and complex interactions to a real person.

In fact, I think it’s now time to pump the brakes and quit trying to innovate real people out of customer-facing processes. I find the quality of the AI we are replacing people with simply isn’t good enough, and the customer desire for it does not exist in a meaningful way. The platform currently analyzes hundreds of thousands of conversations monthly for more than 50 customers, with new companies signing up weekly, according to the company. Connect AI Agents with online forms to help potential students submit applications or get alumni in touch with university networks. AI Agents can also take on some tasks typical of academic advisers and student services staff, meaning they can be trained to talk about majors, housing, health services, financial aid, and more.

Thanks to LLMs in particular, customer service is often the first to get significantly and quickly automated. One day, the quality of these AI programs might, in fact, pass the Turing test with flying colors and become completely seamless and frustration-free. Experience will always be the make-or-break factor in what keeps customers or drives them away, not their arbitrary awareness of some sophisticated technology at work behind the scenes. If the customer can perceive a downturn in the quality of the service being offered, the game is already lost.

We recently surveyed more than 1,200 consumers to better understand the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for customer service. The survey found that there is a broad and growing acceptance of AI in customer service across generations, with younger groups leading the charge in terms of familiarity and positivity. Although 30% of consumers are unfamiliar with “AI agents,” 78% are eager to interact with them, suggesting that AI will continue to play a key role in customer service moving forward.

Dialpad also has robust transcription and sentiment analysis tools, giving instant insights from conversations and letting agents adjust as customer sentiments shift. Machine learning (ML) detects patterns, such as customer preferences, past issues, and communication styles, so you can tailor their approach for each individual. For example, AI-powered chatbots can adjust their tone and responses based on a customer’s sentiment or previous experiences with your company.

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• Using AI in social media is surely one of the most popular 10 real-life examples of how AI is used in business.
• While AI streamlines content marketing, human oversight remains essential for accuracy, originality, and brand consistency.
• It suggests a future where artificial intelligence serves as a continuous feedback loop, constantly raising the baseline of human performance rather than replacing it.
• In-car AI assistants enable voice commands for climate, audio, and navigation, making driving smoother.
• Fast food businesses are at the forefront of using cutting-edge technologies, from AI-driven order taking to predictive analytics for inventory management.

Automated processes can also identify leads through customer queries, setting them up for marketing contacts, and assist with customer service. More than half of year-olds and 42% of respondents 55+ believe that AI will be able to solve more than half of their CX issues in the future. As AI continues to advance, businesses must find the right balance between artificial and human intelligence to create an experience that is both efficient and deeply satisfying.

The use of AI in call centers is changing the approach many organizations take to customer service. By automating routine inquiries and providing real-time insights, AI helps companies cut down on wait times and create better, more meaningful customer interactions. As AI continues to gain ground in the call center industry, understanding its benefits, applications, and challenges is important for staying ahead in a competitive market. One popular example of AI in customer service is the application of sentiment analysis chatbots.