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Starbucks Builds In-House AI Tools to Replace Some Microsoft and IBM Software

July 9, 2026 at 06:20 EDT

Sales & Business
AI Agents

Starbucks Corp. is developing in-house tools powered by artificial intelligence that could replace some of the software applications it now buys from Microsoft Corp. and International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), according to a report. Depending on test results, some of the tools could roll out by the end of 2027.

In-house AI · Back to Starbucks

Starbucks builds its own AI to replace Microsoft & IBM software

The chain is developing in-house AI tools that could retire vendor products like Microsoft Dynamics 365 and IBM TRIRIGA — with some rolling out as early as the end of 2027.

2027

Earliest possible rollout, pending test results

Vendor products targeted for replacement

2019

Deep Brew AI platform in use since

What the in-house AI aims to replace

Microsoft

Dynamics 365

Inventory tracking & supply-chain management

IBM

TRIRIGA

Facility & asset maintenance management

A mixed track record in real stores

Two recent AI deployments point in opposite directions.

Welcomed

Green Dot Assist

Generative AI barista assistant — recipe lookups, troubleshooting, substitutions. Expanding from a 35-store pilot across the U.S. and Canada.

Scrapped

AI inventory counter

Camera + LiDAR tool hit ~11,000 stores, then misidentified items and worsened shortages — retired after just 9 months.

Inventory AI: 11,000 stores, gone in 9 months

Rolled out September 2025 · retired May 2026 — well short of a full year.

Expected
12 months

Actual
9 months

The deciding factor

Can hallucinations be contained enough for real operations?

Reliability under messy store conditions — lighting, crowded shelves, item variety — will decide whether Starbucks' own AI can stand in for vendor software.

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