Expert says artificial intelligence could one day take orders from customers in bars and even recognize patrons as food and hospitality industries “slowly” embrace integrating AI into bars daily tasks.
Glenn Tait, chief product officer of UK-based hospitality technology company Zonal, outlined six ways artificial intelligence will shape the food and hospitality industry as the technology grows in power and usage. He added that the integration of AI into the hospitality industry “is slow,” but the technology will streamline work while helping humans “create better experiences for their customers.”
“[AI] has proven to be effective in being able to create and analyze things that would usually take human days, in seconds,” Tait said in a recent thought piece provided to Fox News Digital. “While AI is often still met with some skepticism, with people fearing a “Terminator-style” technology takeover, it’s not a new concept. From using facial recognition technology to unlock our iPhones to fully automated cars, Al is already an integral part of our daily lives.”
According to Tait, the top six ways AI will shape the industry are: automate restaurant reservations and responses; improve inventory management; plan and move forward; hyper-personalization of the customer experience; predictive maintenance; facial recognition.
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Illustrations of artificial intelligence are seen on a laptop computer with books in the background in this illustration photo from July 18, 2023. (Getty Images)
As robotics and AI become more mainstream and user-friendly, Tait envisions a day when AI will take customers’ orders in pubs and recognize patrons and their orders. Futuristic bartenders likely would use machine learning – a branch of AI that focuses on data and algorithms to mimic the way the human mind learns – paired with facial recognition technology to record customers’ favorite drinks while recognizing customers.
“Such technology could be used to offer regular customers something personal, like ‘a drink as usual’ or their favorite spot by the window,” he told the Daily Star.
“We could also see AI being used to understand how a customer is feeling, if they look unhappy or have been waiting too long for their main meal, the technology could prompt staff to come to the table” , he added.
Tait, however, emphasized that “AI is not just about robot chefs.”
A shot of tequila served in a bar. (Getty Images)
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“This technology can actually work in the background to help pubs, bars and restaurants create better experiences for their customers – without taking over the experience,” he said in a comment provided to Fox News Digital. “We always need a human touch in hospitality, but using AI can save valuable staff time by streamlining processes and managing workflows, leaving operators and staff the space to focus on what they do best: providing exceptional customer service.”
According to Tait, 80% of customers want restaurants and bars to personalize their experiences in some way, and AI provides the ability for a machine to record customer preferences to rely on when doing so. a customer returns for a bite to eat or a pint at the bar. .
“By looking at orders placed, browsing history, and even customer service interactions, AI can identify patterns that help create a complete picture of each individual customer. This analysis can then be used to suggest products or services that are most likely to meet their specific needs and interests,” Tait said in his post.
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Empty table top in cafe on defocused background with copy space (Stock)
AI in the food industry, according to Tait, will also help automate reservations and customer service questions, easing the workload of human employees and restaurateurs. While the technology will also help restaurants “better manage inventory and avoid overordering” by analyzing “which products are selling well and detecting and meeting consumer demand for a specific product.”
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Fox News Digital previously reported on how AI can help the United States reduce food waste, which accounts for about 30-40% of the nation’s food supply, by weighing discarded food and deciphering the cost and profile. food. Tait echoed that AI can be a beneficial partner to humans by reducing the waste stream of food, while saving business owners money.
Hands holding glasses with beer on a table in the pub in London. A group of friends are enjoying beer time in the city, close up of the glasses. (Stock)
“Some AI food waste management technologies include AI-powered cameras, which take images of wasted food, providing real-time feedback to kitchen staff, helping them monitor portion sizes and improve efficiency to reduce waste,” Tait wrote in the thought piece.
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The United States has already seen some restaurants adopt artificial intelligence in recent years, especially in fast food restaurants. Wendy’s announced plans this year to “revolutionize the drive-thru experience with artificial intelligence” that can take orders at the wheel, while Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. have already implemented their own drive-thru technology AI, nicknamed “Tori”, and McDonald’s are already running AI-powered drive-thru windows in 2021.