What's Up: When hacker code names get too cute; job applicant takes on recruiting software algorithms; a potential breakthrough in solid-state batteries.

Good morning. At casual dining and fast-food restaurants, you can almost taste the AI.

The WSJ's Belle Lin reports that Dine Brands, the company behind Applebee’s and IHOP, plans to use artificial intelligence in its restaurants and behind the scenes to streamline operations and encourage repeat customers.

“AI is moving quickly, and I believe it’s going to be embedded in everything we do,” said Chief Information Officer Justin Skelton.

Dine Brands is adding AI-infused tech support, built with Amazon’s Q generative AI assistant, for all of its franchisees, as well as an AI-powered “personalization engine” that helps restaurants offer customized deals to diners, said Skelton.

It's not alone. McDonald’s and Yum Brands’ Pizza Hut and Taco Bell are similarly tapping AI in their restaurants and behind-the-scenes, part of an industry-wide effort to improve customer and employee experiences.

The AI push comes amid a tougher economic climate, particularly for casual dining brands. Restaurant locations run by the largest casual-dining chains dropped 1.2% last year, the first unit decline since 2020, according to market-research firm Technomic. Read the story.

Zuckerberg has offered $100 million packages to some people.

Meta also was in talks to acquire AI search engine Perplexity, Bloomberg reports. Zuckerberg later doled out $14 billion for a stake in AI startup Scale AI and its CEO Alexandr Wang, who is slated to run the new AI team that Zuckerberg is assembling. 

A lawsuit filed by a jobseeker against recruiting software firm Workday for discrimination, claiming its algorithm screened him out, based on his age, race and disabilities, was given the go ahead by a federal judge to proceed as a collective action. The WSJ reports that the ruling opens the door to millions of potential claims from job seekers over the age of 40.

A U.S. official told top global semiconductor makers he wanted to revoke waivers they have used to access American technology in China, people familiar with the matter told the WSJ. Currently, South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing enjoy blanket waivers that allow them to ship American chip-making equipment to their factories in China without applying for a separate license each time.