Starbucks gets personal as it launches beta app in ChatGPT for mood-based drink suggestions and orders

Starbucks has launched a beta app in ChatGPT, the aim of which is to help customers discover drinks in a way that feels natural, personal, and fun.

People can describe their mood or share a photo that captures their vibe and the app will translate that into personalised drink suggestions. They can customise the drink, choose the coffeehouse they'd like to order from, start their order in ChatGPT and finish checkout in the Starbucks app or on Starbucks.com.

"It’s such a fun, smart way to find and order your next drink," says Tressie Lieberman, Global Chief Brand Officer at Starbucks. "From big moves like reshaping Starbucks Rewards to sweating the customer experience in the app (and now AI) every single day, our digital team is curious, dreaming big, and always learning."

In an online post, Starbucks says: "The beta app in ChatGPT is part of our ongoing effort to make drink discovery at Starbucks a personal experience. We’ve enhanced discovery in the app with a trending beverage category and a secret menu, harnessing the power of customisation that occurs every day in social media and with our baristas. And now, in ChatGPT, we are using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love."

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Personalisation will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.