New McDonald's Locations Have No Human Employees & Are Fully Operated by Robots and AI Tech

Photo: McDonald's via Instagram

McDonald's recently opened new locations that are solely operated by robots and artificial intelligence in Fort Worth, Texas, Denver, Colorado, and Las Vegas. McDonald's is testing these sites to see how well customers will receive a restaurant that prepares, serves, and handles payment without human interaction.

Human-less stores are another reminder that technology is subtly replacing people in the workplace. Other corporations, such as Amazon, also have human-less operations. The company's Amazon-Go stores are convenience stores that don't have cashiers or self-check options for purchases. According to Uptin, the store uses cameras and weight sensors to know when an item is taken off the shelves for purchase. Then, purchases are completed via the Amazon Go app. The sensors inform the app what you purchased; then, it charges your payment method in the app. Uptin refers to this new shopping experience as "walk-out technology;" So, no matter what you grab while you're in the store and whatever you put back, it just knows!"

Some shoppers like the quick and seamless shopping experience provided by cashier-less stores. Amazon initially placed these stores in Chicago, Seattle, New York, and London-all places with high levels of foot traffic and bicyclists. Despite the convenience of these stores, many American workers wonder if they will eventually lose their jobs due to the technological advancements provided by AI and robots.

Job outsourcing to foreign nations has already taken a tremendous toll on the American economy and citizens. According to The Balance Money, "In 2019, U.S. overseas affiliates employed 14.6 million workers. Four industries that are often affected are technology, call centers, human resources, and manufacturing." General Motors (GM) has had several layoffs and cuts to its workforce that typically always impact thousands of workers at a time. Flint, Michigan's GM plant, moved more of its operations to Mexico in the 1980s to pay cheaper wages to Mexican employees, leaving thousands of workers unemployed.

The question many Americans have is, how will America save its workers and recharge our economy? To follow this story and other news, click the link to become a Volume 82 site member.