Square launches AI-powered ordering kiosks for fast-food restaurants

Square, a point-of-sale company, is set to launch AI-powered kiosks for fast-food restaurants. The new kiosks, called Square Kiosk, aim to streamline the ordering process and assist restaurant owners in managing peak times. Featuring a unique oval design, they stand out from traditional, square, flat-screen kiosks. Square's team considers kiosks a growing area, given the increasing interest in self-service and automation among restaurants.

Customers can interact with the kiosks using touchscreens, voice commands, or by asking specific menu questions, such as "show me pescetarian options" or "what's on the menu that doesn't contain onions?" They can also link their Square Neighborhoods profile and Loyalty account to the kiosk. Square's hardware lead, Thomas Templeton, explained that the AI platform can provide contextual information and personalized recommendations, making interactions more akin to talking with a human.

The kiosk's AI capabilities can adjust its suggestions based on the time of day or popular items at a specific restaurant location. This innovation comes as Block Inc., Square's parent company, is increasingly incorporating AI and automation into its operations. The company recently announced staff reductions as it aims to become leaner in the AI era. Despite this, Block Inc.'s shares have outperformed the broader market this year, up 17.97% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's 13.81% gain.

Square sees potential in the kiosk market, particularly in fast-food chains where customers can order without approaching the counter. Templeton emphasized that every device Square builds starts with addressing the challenges restaurants face daily, and the kiosk adds a layer of intelligence to the solution.