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

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 employee adoption.