Starbucks is reportedly discontinuing an AI-powered inventory counting tool used in North American stores after about nine months. Multiple outlets say the system, which was rolled out last September, aimed to improve visibility into shortages by helping stores count and track items needed to keep menu offerings stocked. However, sources consistently report that the tool frequently miscounted and mislabeled products, leading to inaccurate inventory results. Several reports also indicate Starbucks is reverting to manual inventory management and working to standardize how items are counted. Some coverage links the move to broader efforts to address product availability and improve performance under CEO Brian Niccol, and notes that the company has also announced significant corporate layoffs. While the outlets differ in emphasis—some frame the decision as a correction of failed enterprise AI automation and others highlight employee experience—the common thread is that the AI tool did not perform reliably enough in day-to-day store operations. As a result, Starbucks is retiring the technology rather than expanding or continuing it.