Next time a Starbucks barista tells you that your favorite latte flavor is out of stock, blame artificial intelligence.

The Seattle-based coffee giant said Wednesday that it is embracing AI technology to keep track of inventory in its coffeehouses.

Over the past few months, Starbucks rolled out “AI-powered automated counting” to assess inventory across thousands of its coffeehouses in North America, the company said. The technology replaces the practice of manually tallying inventory.

The change will take effect at all Starbucks stores by the month’s end.

“With a quick scan using a handheld tablet, partners can instantly see what’s in stock — ensuring cold foam, oat milk or caramel drizzle are always available,” chief technology officer Deb Hall Lefevre wrote in a news release. “Customers can enjoy beverages their way, every time — and partners spend less time in the backroom and more time crafting and connecting.” Starbucks calls its employees partners.

The technology, which was developed in collaboration with Redmond-based software company NomadGo, relies on “computer vision, 3D spatial intelligence and augmented reality,” Starbucks said. It counts inventory in minutes and delivers information on product availability.

NomadGo said in a news release that the technology was deployed at over 11,000 Starbucks locations in North America. It described the method, which is used through tablets and smartphones, as 99% accurate.

“Manual inventory counting has long been one of the most disliked and error-prone tasks in food service and retail,” the company wrote Wednesday.

Starbucks said that, soon, the technology “will even automate restock orders.”

The coffee chain estimates that, as a result of the new technology, inventory is counted eight times more frequently. The data also helps speed up deliveries and curb stock-outs.

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said in an investor call in July that he is focused on creating“the coffeehouse of the future,” a redesigned coffee shop that costs less to construct. Niccol revived the coffeehouse tradition of writing on cups with Sharpie markers.

The chain plans to incorporate healthier products, such as sugar-free beverages and drinks featuring coconut water, to appeal to conscientious clientele.

Starbucks is also capitalizing on the growing interest in protein consumption. Recently, it confirmed the release of its protein lattes and protein cold foam, which is scheduled for Sept. 29 in the U.S. and Canada.

But still, it is not abandoning its calorie-packed offerings. Late last month, it welcomed back the cult favorite pumpkin spice latte and other seasonal products, which resulted in “a record-breaking sales week” in the U.S., Bloomberg reported Monday.

“At Starbucks, innovations are grounded in a simple goal: to elevate the craft of coffee and deepen human connection,” Hall Lefevre wrote.

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