LAS VEGAS. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 technology trade show witnessed a wave of excitement as robot baristas and AI-powered chefs took center stage, leaving many casino union workers anxious about the future of their jobs.
On the show floor in Las Vegas this week, robots of various types showcased their abilities, including a barista demonstrating latte art with precision, all driven by artificial intelligence.
For Roman Alejo, a 34-year-old barista at the Sahara hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip, these innovations are cause for concern. He pondered the impact of AI on hospitality jobs, stating, “It is very scary because tomorrow is never promised. A lot of AI is coming into this world. It is very scary and very eye-opening to see how humans can think of replacing other humans.”
These fears resurfaced just over a month after the casino workers union in Las Vegas ratified new contracts for its 40,000 members. The negotiations concluded a contentious battle that underscored the perceived threat of AI to union jobs.
Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Workers Union’s secretary-treasurer, highlighted the role of technology in the negotiations. “Technology was a strike issue and one of the very last issues to be resolved,” he noted. The recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotics have forced unions to reevaluate their negotiation strategies.
Bill Werner, an associate professor in the hospitality department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, emphasized the need for unions to be more deliberate in securing job security. The integration of AI and robotics in the hospitality and service industry poses a unique challenge.
The union’s latest contract includes provisions to protect workers, offering $2,000 in severance pay for each year worked if a job is eliminated by tech or AI. Workers also have the option to transition to a different department within the company.
Over 100 union members attended CES to explore emerging technologies that could further jeopardize casino jobs. The trade show featured an array of new innovations, including friendly-faced robots for deliveries, robotic masseuses, and AI-powered smart grills.
Meng Wang, co-founder of food tech startup Artly Coffee, defended the use of autonomous barista bots, stating, “What we are doing is not replacing jobs. We are filling the need in the market and bringing specialty coffee to more places.” However, experts like Werner argue that certain casino union jobs, not requiring face-to-face interaction, are at risk.
Werner emphasized, “When the industry doesn’t have to worry about the effect on customer service, then that takes a lot of the risk out of automation.” For the bustling Las Vegas Strip, known for its commitment to top-notch service, the impact of AI on jobs remains a subject of careful observation.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
