ChatGPT maker OpenAI has added a new beta experience that lets users discover and customise Starbucks drinks directly through the chatbot. According to a CNBC report, the feature integrates Starbucks into ChatGPT, allowing customers to explore beverage options based on their preferences or mood.
In a statement (seen by CNBC), Paul Riedel, Starbucks senior vice president of digital and loyalty, said, “Over the past year, one thing has become clear: customers aren’t always starting with a menu. They’re starting with a feeling… We wanted to meet customers right in that moment of inspiration and make it easier than ever to find a drink that fits.”
How ChatGPT’s new Starbucks ordering feature works
This process enables users to engage in conversations with ChatGPT to receive drink suggestions based on their tastes.
After activating the Starbucks app through ChatGPT, users can tell the chatbot their preferences and receive suggestions based on them. It is then possible to tailor the ingredients and select the location before moving forward.However, the last step in the order process occurs on Starbucks’ proprietary apps and websites, enabling Starbucks to ensure its loyalty programme functions as intended.The feature is part of Starbucks’ broader “Back to Starbucks” strategy to bring more customers back to its cafes.
The company has made several changes, including adding seating, simplifying its menu, and reintroducing tiers to its loyalty programme. It has also focused on helping users discover drinks through trending categories and a “secret menu” section in its app.The emphasis on drink discovery is particularly relevant for younger consumers, who often look for unique and customisable beverage options. Starbucks said its efforts are beginning to show results, reporting an increase in customer transactions in its fiscal first quarter after a period of decline.This is not Starbucks’ first use of generative AI. The company previously launched Green Dot Assist, an AI tool for baristas built using Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform. Other companies, including Walmart, Etsy, and Booking.com, are also experimenting with ChatGPT integrations to support shopping and purchasing experiences.
