Will Waiters and Waitresses be replaced by AI & Robots?

Key findings

Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and drinks to customers at tables in a restaurant.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is unlikely to automate blue-collar jobs like this.

The unique GenAI automation wave may not transform this work significantly.

Blue-collar workers are shielded from major AI disruption due to GenAI’s inability to perform physical tasks.

Increased demand for premium goods and services could even boost the need for these workers, potentially increasing their income share.

While some skills in this job could be automated in the future, such as information ordering and digital data processing, the core tasks of waiters and waitresses, which rely on active listening, speaking, coordination, and service orientation, are less likely to be automated.

How could AI or automation replace or complement job activities?

AI and automation could be used to automate activities such as taking food and beverage orders, processing payments, entering orders into computer systems, presenting menus, cleaning tables, setting up dining areas, and informing customers of specials.

For example, AI could assist in taking reservations and recommending menu items, enhancing efficiency in the role of servers.

Job description

Takes orders and serves food and drinks to customers at tables in a restaurant.