Tech Desk 
Jun 12, 2025
Given the advancement it has undergone, one would barely be surprised to see artificial intelligence's (AI) incorporation into some sophisticated high-tech machine, but Starbucks, the globally expanded chain of coffeehouses, is beckoning eyeballs for having deployed a new generative AI assistant.
Named “Green Dot Assist”, the AI-assisted coffee maker is being tested in select Starbucks locations to improve barista efficiency and speed up the service.
The AI assistant has reportedly been developed on Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform. Its primary purpose of employment is to minimise the time baristas spend searching for information and enhance service quality.
Green Dot Assist gives baristas quick, real-time answers to a wide range of queries. The top-of-the-line chunk of inquiries involves guides on preparing specific beverages like iced shaken espressos or troubleshooting equipment issues.
That said, no more consulting manuals or the Starbucks intranet. Instead, baristas can now directly interact with the AI assistant using a tablet behind the counter, which makes the Q&A even easier and more intuitive thanks to its conversational language.
As of now, Green Dot Assist is capable of basic operational questions, but fret not, the coffee provider is planning to enhance it in the near future, as Starbucks Chief Technology Officer Deb Hall Lefevre claimed that the Green Dot Assist iteration would be able to manage more complex tasks, such as generating IT tickets for equipment problems or suggesting shift replacements when needed.
