GraphQL isn't just an API technology—it's the perfect foundation for AI agents and LLM-powered applications. At Starbucks, we built GraphQL platforms at massive scale (180M+ queries/day, 10,000 stores, 31M+ app users) before GenAI became mainstream. Now, as we explore AI integration, we're discovering that GraphQL provides fundamental advantages for AI that are impossible with REST. This talk explores the AI systems we're building on our existing GraphQL infrastructure: In-store AI assistant (planned for Order Engine GraphQL BFF) Mobile/web AI platform (exploring on Apollo Supergraph) On-call automation using Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers You'll learn how GraphQL reduces AI token costs by 75x, enables zero-configuration AI tool discovery, provides built-in guardrails through type systems, and why federation is the perfect architecture for enterprise AI agents. Real demos, proven patterns, lessons from building GraphQL at scale.
Starbucks, Engineer Lead
I’m an engineering leader with 16+ years of experience driving digital transformation, modernizing systems, and building high-performing teams. At Starbucks, I led Next‑Gen POS modernization, earned a U.S. patent, and founded the GraphQL Community of Practice. I’m passionate about scalable architecture, inclusive culture, and developing future engineering leaders.
Join two transformative days of expert insights and innovation to shape the next decade of APIs!