McDonald's share price: do AI acquisitions signal tasty returns?

McDonald's [MCD] share price has gained 19% this year. The purchase of Apprente, which is aimed at automating its drive-thru operations, is a clear indication of a more tech-focused direction for McDonald's. Apprente's voice-based, conversational technology, "will allow for faster, simpler and more accurate ordering", McDonald's said on Tuesday. The Big Mac seller added that Apprente's technology could also be incorporated into mobile ordering and self-order kiosks. At the end of trading without disclosing the deal's financial terms, McDonald's shares were down 0.11% to $209.45.