Will AI replace Waiters and Waitresses?
AI can do 20% of the work Waiters and Waitresses do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 6 of them. Robots can technically handle 14 physical tasks. 5 still need a person.
AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.
AI could do this next6 · 20% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.7% of time
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.5% of time
- Inform customers of daily specials.2% of time
- Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.2% of time
- Describe and recommend wines to customers.2% of time
- Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.2% of time
Robots can technically do this14 · 58% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.Robots: purpose built settings13% of time
- Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.Robots: purpose built settings9% of time
- Collect payments from customers.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
- Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Escort customers to their tables.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time
Still needs a person5 · 22% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.9% of time
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.5% of time
- Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.4% of time
- Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.2% of time
- Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.2% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 58% of the working time.
What to do next
- Get ahead on the 6 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 14 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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