Updated June 2026

At Starbucks, the moments that matter most come from people. Our business is rooted in human connection – and our technology is designed to strengthen it, not replace it.

Our approach is practical and grounded: we use technology and AI to free up our green apron partners to focus on craft, connection and exceptional customer service. If it strengthens the experience, we scale it. If not, we iterate on it.

This is how AI supports the Starbucks experience — for customers, partners and the long‑term health of our business. It’s the quiet force behind every cup served, every green apron partner and every moment of connection.

Designed for customers and partners, built for the coffeehouse 

Great coffeehouses run on rhythm, trust and confidence. When technology works behind the scenes to give partners 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 – felt less, delivering more, so what shows up is a better Starbucks.

Reducing friction so connection can lead 

AI also helps us simplify some of the hardest parts of the job, reducing friction so partners can focus on delivering a great customer experience.

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: 

• AI-enabled forecasting to ensure customer favorites are available when and where they’re needed.
• Data-driven scheduling to better match staffing with demand and partner needs.

These capabilities help us run a better Starbucks – improving flow, increasing consistency and enabling great coffeehouse experiences at scale.

Making digital feel more personal 

As digital becomes an increasingly important access point to Starbucks, our goal is simple: less friction, better service – and always making it feel unmistakably Starbucks.

Earlier this year, we introduced the beta Starbucks app in ChatGPT to help customers discover drinks starting from a feeling, using their own words or through a photo.

This innovation simplifies how customers move from inspiration to order.

Across every interaction, we’re using technology to create more personal, intuitive digital experiences. The goal isn’t a different Starbucks – it’s a better 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 we get it right, technology fades into the background, because the more invisible our technology becomes, the more visible our craft becomes – and what our customers experience is simply a better Starbucks.