Starbucks is piloting a generative AI assistant called Green Dot Assist in 35 stores across the U.S. and Canada. The tool, developed using Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI platform, is designed to help baristas and store managers manage day-to-day tasks more efficiently.

Accessible through in-store iPads, the assistant responds to voice or text queries, offering instant guidance on drink recipes, equipment troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures. This is intended to reduce the need for staff to consult manuals during busy periods.
Green Dot Assist also automates several routine management functions. It can create IT help tickets and suggest shift changes, easing the administrative workload. Staff can then focus more on preparing drinks and engaging with customers, rather than handling procedural or technical issues.
The assistant is powered by Microsoft’s AI tools, including a grounding engine that aims to minimize errors. Starbucks is monitoring results from the pilot before expanding to more locations in 2026, as part of a larger technology upgrade that also includes new espresso machines and point-of-sale systems.
Potential business impacts include faster service, improved order accuracy, and increased upselling opportunities, which could strengthen customer loyalty and drive sales. Operationally, Starbucks expects reduced training time, lower labor costs, and better inventory management—all of which could help limit waste.
However, the effect on consumer prices remains uncertain. While greater efficiency may reduce pressure to raise prices, the cost of implementing new technology could lead to upward pricing pressure if profit margins remain tight.
The company has framed the initiative as a way to improve efficiency while supporting employees, not replacing them—a notable distinction as other food service companies explore automation to cut frontline roles.