Hospitality Workers Face AI Advancements with Mixed Feelings

In the vibrant city of Las Vegas, hospitality workers are confronting a future where artificial intelligence and robotics are rapidly changing the landscape of their industry. At the heart of the Strip, a robotic barista demonstrates the ability to craft exquisite latte art that typically takes humans months or even years to perfect. This feat of technology is just one example that sparked discussions at the recent Consumer Electronics Show, where the latest advancements were showcased.

The Union's Response to AI

While these innovations are impressive, they also raise concerns among workers like 34-year-old Roman Alejo, a barista at the Sahara hotel-casino. Roman and others worry about the potential for job loss as AI becomes more prevalent in their field. This concern was a central issue in the recent contract negotiations held by the Culinary Workers Union for 40,000 Las Vegas casino employees, where technology's threat to jobs was a decisive factor. The union sought to ensure stronger job protection in the wake of new technologies such as self check-in stations and robot bartenders.

Union Negotiations and Worker Protections

The union's secretary-treasurer, Ted Pappageorge, explained that this year's contract negotiations required a novel approach due to the combination of AI and robotics, compelling them to establish new protections for workers against both current and future technological shifts. As part of their latest contract, union members are now entitled to $2,000 in severance pay for each year they have worked if their position is made redundant by automation. They also have options to transition to different roles within their companies.

The Industry's Technological Evolution

Bill Werner, an academic in hospitality from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, notes that unions now face the challenge of being more strategic in negotiations due to AI's impact on job security. He points out that the nature of casino union jobs will likely change in the coming years, with positions that don't require direct customer interaction, like housekeeping or food preparation, being more susceptible to automation.

AI and the Future of Hospitality Jobs

Despite the potential threat to jobs, some industry players like Meng Wang, co-founder of Artly Coffee, argue that autonomous technologies like their barista bots are not job eliminators but rather solutions to labor shortages, enhancing service availability. However, the underlying concern for many workers remains: as technology continues to advance, the way forward requires balancing the integration of AI with the imperative to safeguard human employment in the hospitality industry.

AI, hospitality, unions