Starbucks to Launch AI Assistant for Baristas Using Microsoft Azure OpenAI Technology
Key Points:
- Starbucks unveiled a generative AI assistant, “Green Dot Assist,” built with Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform.
- The assistant aims to simplify baristas’ tasks and speed up service.
- The full rollout is planned for fiscal 2026 across U.S. and Canadian stores.
- The announcement was made at Starbucks’ Leadership Experience in Las Vegas.
F.M.I.E Sources report that Starbucks is preparing to introduce a new generative artificial intelligence tool designed to streamline operations for baristas and improve service speed. Created in partnership with Microsoft using the Azure OpenAI platform, the “Green Dot Assist” assistant will debut at 35 stores this month, with plans for a broader rollout across U.S. and Canadian locations in fiscal 2026.
The announcement came during Starbucks’ three-day Leadership Experience event in Las Vegas, where more than 14,000 store managers were in attendance. The new AI platform is part of the company’s larger strategy to boost declining U.S. sales and return to operational excellence—a movement internally dubbed “get back to Starbucks,” spearheaded by CEO Laxman Narasimhan.
“Our goal is to simplify operations and bring joy back into the job,” said Starbucks Chief Technology Officer Deb Hall Lefevre, via F.M.I.E Sources. “Green Dot Assist is a major step in empowering our partners [employees] to do what they do best — serve customers quickly and accurately.”
Instead of consulting manuals or navigating internal systems, baristas will be able to access the AI assistant via a tablet behind the counter. They can ask questions—either by typing or speaking—in natural, conversational language. The assistant can answer everything from how to make specific beverages like an iced shaken espresso to how to troubleshoot malfunctioning machines.
Looking ahead, Starbucks sees broader potential for the tool. According to Lefevre, future versions of Green Dot Assist may automatically generate IT support tickets or recommend staff substitutions when employees call in sick.
The rollout deepens Starbucks’ collaboration with Microsoft, nearly a year after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stepped down from the Starbucks board. It also reflects a broader trend: since OpenAI’s ChatGPT went public in 2022, companies across industries have rushed to implement AI tools to cut costs, boost productivity, and enhance stock performance.
Yet challenges persist. Generative AI models are prone to “hallucinations”—a term for incorrect or fabricated responses. Lefevre emphasized that Starbucks’ system incorporates a grounding engine to ensure that all answers provided by the assistant are accurate and reliable.
The move places Starbucks alongside other major corporations deploying AI for workforce support. Walmart and JPMorgan Chase have launched similar tools, while Yum Brands is using AI to improve order accuracy, monitor store performance, and power computer vision systems in restaurants.
However, not all AI partnerships succeed. McDonald’s recently ended its deal with IBM after AI-driven drive-thru ordering failed to meet expectations.
In addition to the AI assistant, Starbucks also showcased new in-store technologies during the event, including the latest generation of its Mastrena espresso machines and an upgraded point-of-sale system. Lefevre noted that seasoned baristas are now able to learn the new POS system in as little as an hour. The technology also enables personalized order suggestions and access to a customer’s past favorites—adding a human touch back into the digital age of coffee retail.