At Starbucks, the moments that matter most come from people. We design AI to strengthen, not replace, the human connection at the heart of every coffeehouse. 

Our approach is practical and grounded: use AI where it helps partners deliver exceptional craft, deepen customer connection and improve the rhythm of the coffeehouse. If it does that, we scale it. If not, we move on. 

This is how AI supports the Starbucks experience — for customers, partners and the long‑term health of our business. 

Designed for customers and partners, built for the coffeehouse 

Great coffeehouses run on rhythm, trust and confidence. When partners have clarity and support in the moment, the entire experience flows. 

AI‑powered tools like Green Dot Assist act as a real‑time companion for coffeehouse partners — delivering quick, conversational answers to everyday questions, from recipes and routines to service standards.  

Instead of escalating during a peak, partners get what they need instantly and keep moving with confidence. 

That means: 

• Smoother service with fewer interruptions; 

• More consistent execution; 

• And partners who feel empowered to make decisions in real time. 

We’re planning to extend that same intelligence to our equipment and systems — using AI to surface early signals, recommend next steps and reduce downtime. When machines work as expected, partners can stay focused on what matters most: handcrafting beverages and connecting with customers. 

This is technology doing its job quietly — supporting our partners, without getting in the way. 

Reducing friction so connection can lead 

AI also helps us simplify some of the hardest parts of the job, enriching the connection between our partners and customers. 

Our Smart Queue technology intelligently sequences orders across café, drive thru, mobile and delivery — keeping production in rhythm, especially during peak hours. The result is faster, more consistent handoffs for customers and a calmer, more controlled flow behind the bar. 

Looking ahead, we’re applying the same principle to other high‑friction tasks: 

• Imagine a world where AI‑enabled forecasting can ensure customer favorites are available when and where they’re needed. 

• And data‑driven scheduling will help teams plan shifts more intelligently, matching staffing levels to local demand and busy moments while accommodating partner needs. 

These capabilities make it easier to run great coffeehouses — day in and day out — and create the conditions for consistent, high‑quality experiences at scale. 

Making digital feel more personal 

As digital becomes an increasingly important access point to Starbucks, our focus remains the same: make it feel more human, not more complicated. 

Building on the most beloved app in the category, we’re actively developing a first-of-its-kind Starbucks ordering companion designed to help customers discover their perfect beverage through natural, intuitive prompts.  

And this innovation goes far beyond drink ideation. The Starbucks ordering companion will also help customers find a nearby coffeehouse, complete their order, and streamline the entire experience from inspiration to handoff, without losing the warmth and personalization that define Starbucks.  

Because whether a customer orders at the counter, through our app or on the go, the experience should feel unmistakably Starbucks. 

Technology that knows when to step back 

At its best, AI is invisible: 

• Orders move with purpose; 

• Partners feel prepared; 

• Customers feel recognized and cared for. 

And the moment, that pause in a busy day, remains at the center of the Starbucks experience. 

That’s the role of AI at Starbucks: to amplify human connection, strengthen execution and support long‑term growth. 

When Starbucks feels like Starbucks, technology is doing exactly what it should.