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Starbucks Debuts Green Dot Assist AI Pilot to Streamline Barista Service

Unveiled at the Las Vegas Leadership Experience the tool seeks to boost speed by providing real-time guidance at counters under Niccol’s Back to Starbucks initiative.

Starbucks will pilot an AI chatbot to help baristas remember recipes and troubleshoot equipment problems.
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Overview

  • Starbucks is piloting Green Dot Assist in 35 U.S. stores with a broader rollout across the U.S. and Canada planned for fiscal year 2026.
  • The tool uses Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform and a Microsoft-developed grounding engine to deliver accurate, conversational replies to barista queries via in-store iPads.
  • Green Dot Assist provides step-by-step videos on drink preparations, recipe customizations, troubleshooting support and food pairing suggestions to reduce service friction.
  • The pilot launch coincides with demonstrations of new store technology including the latest Mastrena espresso machines and an upgraded point-of-sale system.
  • The initiative underpins CEO Brian Niccol’s Back to Starbucks strategy to revive U.S. sales by targeting a four-minute service time per order.