Waiters and Waitresses

ya (Highly likely) says

Now I start to see more robot waiters which can mean that soon, waiter jobs will be taken.

youausduasdasa (Highly likely) says

because they just walk around and take order. Japan is already doing it so we should too

Alisha says

AI is REALLY taking over the world!!!
SCARED for the next generation!!

Ernest Onunze (Low) says

It is because it involves emotion and social understanding. Can AI interprets moods, feelings and stress this what waiters and waitress does better

Gwen (Low) says

Food service workers in fast food, buffets, etc., do face a risk of replacement and you can already see it happening. Actual servers who provide full table service do not face the same risk, in my opinion.

Ultimately, going out to eat is an experience. Going through a drive-thru serves a functional purpose, you need food and you need it within minutes. Full service restaurants exist to give people somewhere to *go*. Somewhere to socialize, celebrate, grab a drink, mourn a bad day, take a load off, sit down with a good book, write a good book, get some office work done, etc., etc. It’s about experiencing human connections, even if you’re eating alone, you still have the company of your server, of the other patrons surrounding you. We crave human connection, we’re social creatures by nature, otherwise, everyone would just stay home. To-go and delivery has existed for forever and full service restaurants still stand, because the *people* are the draw.

Customers want to become regulars, they delight in their name or order being remembered, couples want a place they think of as “theirs” that they return to every year for their anniversary, they want to tell the server it’s their birthday so they can get that free piece of cake, so their waiter will wish them well or sing for them. They want someone to joke around with, to tease and be teased, to flirt, to leave their number on a receipt even though they know they won’t call. They want their baby to be cooed at and made to laugh. They want the bartender to listen to them wax poetic about their bad breakup. Speaking of bartenders, I don’t think people realize how much they keep you safe. They’ll keep an eye on your drink, put your purse behind the bar, toss out the drunken idiot harassing everyone.

And on a less positive note—people *especially* want someone to level their fury at. When their order is messed up or the food isn’t to their liking or when they have to wait too long to be seated. You can’t be mad at a robot. I mean, you can be, but I’m certain it won’t give the same satisfaction that whatever it is miserable people get out of bullying waitstaff. What I’m saying is—people crave human interaction…and that includes asking for the manager.

Maybe it would be a different story if AI could mimic human behavior, but even then, it can’t get around the uncanny valley effect. People need people.

Stu says

As a customer it won’t be nearly as fun to watch a robot run after the condiments. Haha

Cd Guthrie (No chance) says

Can’t anticipate guests needs and time constraints simultaneously while providing the warmth of caring

Stefan Deleanu (Low) says

It is highly unlikely due to the social aspect of being a waiter. We can see this based on the effect home delivery services had on the HORECA industry. People still want social contact and not some robotic interaction.

I assume culture will change in future generations. This is similar to how there are love hotels and vending machines for everything in Japan, which wouldn't be acceptable in the Western world.

Bro says

All the fast food restaurants now do this and most restaurants use seamless/Grubhub for delivery. Delivery to my table in the restaurant via my phone is next.

Mitch (Highly likely) says

Low skill. Unnecessary. Humans performing the task are unpredictable and often unreliable.

Karl (No chance) says

Where do servers make 11$ an hour? That's crazy low.

Chloe (No chance) says

I do think robots could replace waiters at certain restaurants but not entirely. As a waitress I feel a lot of the customers are looking for a waitress not a robot or a screen to press, they’re coming to be served and for the personal interaction. Just look at places like hooters or the restaurants where the staff is paid to make crude jokes and insults to you. A robot can’t do that.

Bruna says

Will robots also hear your romantic dramas or give you advice? Waiters' job is also about interaction

Jeffro (Low) says

Upscale restaurant servers will always be human.

Julia says

I really hope not, some waiters and waitresses are really nice

austin (Uncertain) says

i certainly see fast food waiters being eliminated however "fancy" dine-in i think is less likely

Noah R (No chance) says

It’s not that it can’t be done but I don’t think people would be receptive to having robot servers

Abhudya (Highly likely) says

Because some hotels have already done it.

Jon says

Has anyone seen Sam and Cat? Just do the same thing they did.

Eilidh Muir (Low) says

People appreciate the human experience and especially in service industries.