Restaurants tap into artificial intelligence

WITH ITS HEADline-grabbing debut in November 2022, ChatGPT caught the eye of the restaurant industry along with that of the rest of the business world.

ChatGPT is, of course, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that its developers, San Francisco-based Open AI, claim can have human-like conversations with users. Built on the latest technology in language processing, ChatGPT supposedly “learns” from human interaction, making itself able to better respond when engaged by a human user.

The business potential of what is now being called “generative AI” has not been lost on the restaurant industry, with several major quick-service chains announcing initiatives to use AI chatbots like ChatGPT as a way of handling interactions with patrons.

Several smaller fast food chains have already signed up with generative AI developers to automate pointof-sale order taking, and earlier this month a major industry player, Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy’s Corp., announced that it will be partnering with Google to roll out Wendy’s FreshAI, a system designed to have human-like conversations with drive-thru customers.

In addition to being able take orders and share details about Wendy’s menu, the FreshAI system, which Wendy’s executives are describing as “fast and frictionless,” will supposedly be able to effectively deal with special requests and answer frequently-asked questions.

With up to 80% of a quick-service restaurant’s business generated at the drive-thru, it’s not hard to see why an AI chatbot is an attractive proposition for fast food operators. Not only can such a system replace costly and difficult-to-recruit human employees, it can tirelessly suggestive sell, thereby boosting revenue.

Wendy’s has announced that it will soon begin a test of Wendy’s FreshAI in a company-operated location in Columbus. The rest of the industry will be watching that test with great interest.

Side dishes

• Springfield’s hometown favorite, Friendly’s Restaurants, is dishing up a kid-pleasing ice cream treat this month.

An Ollie the Octopus Conehead Sundae features a scoop of strawberry ice cream on blue marshmallow sauce. Cherries and gummy worm candies decorate the Sundae and create Ollie’s tentacled identity.

The sundae will be available at participating Friendly’s locations until the end of May.

• Menu development at Dunkin’ has, it seems, increasingly become about single-item additions and menu tweaks. The latest of these is the short-term appearance of two food items — one savory, one sweet.

The Ham & Swiss Croissant Stuffer is just as its name suggests — a croissant sandwich made with sliced ham and Swiss cheese. Individually-packaged slices of Iced Lemon Loaf are, not surprisingly, lemon cake iced with sweet lemon glaze.

Both items will be available at participating Dunkin’ locations while supplies last.

• On Saturday, Atkins Farms Country Market in Amherst will be hosting its monthly Tastings in the

Saturday p.m.

Loft. Scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., the free event features tastings of selected wine,

WEDNESDAY

Polish American Citizens Club

355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385

Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm

Doors Open at 4pm.

Minimum Admission $50

1 - 1199 Progressive w/ Climbing Consolation Prize

2 - $500 Cover Alls

3 - $200 Special Games

All Games will be $100 with 90 People or More

All Cards are included with Admission

THURSDAY

Fairview Knights of Columbus

1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011

DOORS OPEN 4:30PM MASKS OPTIONAL

Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird

6:20pm Start

Min. Entry Package $15

Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms

CALL TODAY 413-788-1250 TO LIST HERE