Will AI Replace Waiters and Waitresses?

Collect payments from customers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inform customers of daily specials.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Escort customers to their tables.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Describe and recommend wines to customers.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.