Starbucks rolls out AI for inventory counting

Starbucks is rolling out a new system for counting inventory that uses artificial intelligence technology to its more than 11,000 company-owned stores in North America by the end of September, the global coffee chain announced on Wednesday.

The system has workers scan inventory shelves with a handheld tablet equipped with software intended to automatically count goods and flag those in low supply.

Starbucks Chief Technology Officer Deb Hall Lefevre said in a statement that the system enables faster replenishment and more consistent availability of…