Waiters and Waitresses

As someone currently working as a waitress, it’s both interesting and a little scary to think about how fast things are changing. Robots could handle simple tasks like carrying food or taking orders, but real servers do so much more than that. We make people feel welcome, remembering regulars, and create personal experiences. Technology can help with the repetitive parts, but it can’t replace human connection. I think the future might have space for both robots and humans, working together to make dining more efficient while still keeping that personal touch that only humans can provide (personality and communication skills) .

I’ve been a server for 20 years. I feel my job has never been more threatened than it is right now due to AI. Customers do want an interactive social experience, yes, but I feel the businesses will try their absolute hardest to replace servers with AI and hope it doesn’t fail. Businesses have been fighting hard to make up the profits lost from covid, supply chain issues, inflation etc, so getting rid of the labor will be a high priority for them. Humans call out sick, demand benefits, complain to HR, get tired, make mistakes etc. AI won’t do any of those things. Having AI will help get rid of half the management staff too cause there will be less employees to babysit. Look at McDonalds. When you place your order you use the touchscreen computer now. Years ago you’d go to the counter and talk to a human. It will happen everywhere, grocery stores too.

People want a human experience. Maybe the kitchen staff will be replaced.

Japan.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Upscale restaurant servers will always be human.

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

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