AI INVASION: VOICE ASSISTANTS TAKING OVER RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS; PARTNERING WITH STARTUPS ACROSS THE US!
Changing the face of hospitality one restaurant at a time, artificial intelligence (AI) is now seating guests, answering questions, and managing bookings – all without the need for a human touch. In bustling food hubs such as New York City, Miami, Atlanta and San Francisco, AI systems are steadily replacing traditional restaurant hosts.
Startups such as Maitre-D AI, Newo, RestoHost, and Slang are pioneering this transformation. Each offers interactive voice assistants that serve as front-of-house staff, offering diverse features like multilingual capabilities and seamless transitions to human staff when necessary.
Despite the vast technological advancements, including websites and sophisticated mobile apps, a sizable populace still prefers to interact with restaurants via phone calls. These calls are particularly common with popular restaurant chains and are often made by last-minute bookers, tourists, older individuals, or those calling while on the road. In these scenarios, AI voice assistants can be an extremely valuable asset.
Matt Ho, owner of the San Francisco-based Vietnamese restaurant Bodega, emphasized the immense value addition brought about by AI voice assistants. His establishment was one of the first to use the services of Maitre-D AI, and he attests to the marked decrease in strain on the human staff and diminished distractions within the restaurant ambiance.
"We've seen a significant difference since introducing our AI host. The staff can now focus on providing excellent customer service and creating a welcoming environment," says Ho, "Our AI host deals with routine inquiries and bookings, freeing our staff to engage more personally with guests present at our restaurant.”
While it is unclear to what extent AI will substitute for human roles within the restaurant industry in the long term, it is evident from the early adopters that AI hosts are providing immense value by efficiently managing common restaurant tasks.
The rise of AI in restaurant hosting services also indicates a shift in how people interact with businesses. As AI continues to evolve, restaurants could potentially offer more personalized experiences, leveraging AI’s ability to memorize customers’ preferences, allergies, and other vital information that would enhance the dining experience.
Moreover, the integration of AI hosts stresses the importance of language inclusivity in such a globalized industry. Features like the multilingual capabilities offered by these startups make restaurants more accessible to a wider customer base, breaking down language barriers and enhancing the hospitality experience.
In a rapidly changing digital landscape, the restaurant industry continues to adopt innovative ways of providing exceptional patron experiences. AI voice assistants, despite being in their early stages, are revolutionizing the industry by aiding in cutting down wait times, reducing the burden on human staff, and improving the fluidity of customer engagement. The influx of startups providing this innovative service is expected to increase, setting the groundwork for a future where AI may become a standard feature in the restaurant industry.