Taco Bell is embracing the use of artificial intelligence voice technology in the drive-thru lane. On Wednesday, Yum! Brands, Taco Bell’s parent company, said it would expand the use of AI to hundreds of U.S. locations by the end of 2024. Around 100 Taco Bell’s in 13 states already use the technology. 

So, now when you head to the drive-thru for your Baja Chicken Chalupa (personal fave) or your Mexican pizza, more than likely, you’ll be placing your order with a robot, instead of a real fast-food worker. 

“Yum! Brands is integrating digital and technology into all aspects of our business with exciting new capabilities, and AI is a core piece of that strategy,” said Lawrence Kim, Yum! Brands’ chief innovation officer, in a press release. We’re expanding and accelerating our AI capabilities, like Voice AI, to deliver leading-edge technologies to our franchisees and enhance the consumer and team member experience.”

Kim also revealed that the brand has spent a long time preparing for the switch to AI ordering systems. “With over two years of fine-tuning and testing the drive-thru Voice AI technology, we’re confident in its effectiveness in optimizing operations and enhancing customer satisfaction.”

Clearly, Taco Bell is putting more faith in AI ordering than some of its competitors. Last month, McDonald’s decided to ditch the technology after some very wrong (and hilarious) orders were handed out. Several videos went viral as customers showed off their dozens of orders of chicken nuggets or a wild number of ketchup packets. 

Still, while the fast-food chain pulled the plug for now, it isn’t ruling out using the technology once the kinks are worked out. At the time, a McDonald’s representative told Fast Company, “a voice ordering solution for drive-thru will be part of our restaurants’ future,” and the restaurant would “make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year.”

As far as Taco Bell goes, expanding AI appears to be a top priority. “Innovation is ingrained in our DNA at Taco Bell, and we view Voice AI as a means to improve the team member and consumer experiences,” said Dane Mathews, Chief Digital & Technology Officer of Taco Bell, in a press release. 

“Tapping into AI gives us the ability to ease team members’ workloads, freeing them to focus on front-of-house hospitality. It also enables us to unlock new and meaningful ways to engage with our customers.” 

Of course, many other fast food chains, like Dunkin’, Wendy’s, Checkers, and more, have extensively tested AI ordering. Wendy’s has even begun using AI to allow the menu to make suggestions or adapt based on things like weather. And outside the U.S., Yum! is making efforts on the AI front, too. According to the recent announcement, it’s testing the technology in five KFC restaurants in Australia.