Starbucks is developing internal AI-driven tools to replace parts of the
software it currently buys from vendors including Microsoft and IBM, an internal
presentation shows. Work includes homegrown alternatives to Microsoft’s
inventory-tracking system and IBM’s maintenance-management tools; some projects
could be deployed by the end of next year pending test results. CTO Anand
Varadarajan told staff earlier this year Starbucks spends about $400m a year on
software and sees clear opportunities to reduce that spend. Starbucks says AI is
lowering the barrier to building bespoke applications and accelerating employees
adoption.
