Square Launches AI-Powered Ordering Kiosks for Restaurants

Payment processing company Square has launched a new AI-powered ordering kiosk aimed at quick-service restaurants and other eateries. The device aims to enhance customer ordering and improve operational efficiency, particularly during peak hours.

The kiosk features "agentic AI" and allows customers to place orders using either a touchscreen or voice commands. Users can ask specific questions about menu items, such as "show me pescetarian options" or "what on the menu doesn't contain onions." Customers can also link their Square Neighborhoods or loyalty accounts to their orders.

Square, part of parent company Block Inc., views kiosks as a growth area as more restaurants adopt self-service and automation options. The company anticipates the kiosk will become a common sight in various dining establishments, though specific chain partnerships have not yet been announced.

"Adding intelligence and voice enables us to do more things," said Thomas Templeton, hardware lead at Block Inc. "That means it can take more complicated questions, and you can interact with it more like you would a person."