In Las Vegas, the barista poured smooth and foamy milk over the latte, starting slowly and then gracefully tilting the jug like a choreographed dance to create a tulip design.

This barista, fueled by artificial intelligence, is able to master the skill of latte art in a matter of months, something that typically takes years of practice.

At the annual CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, robots of various types created a buzz on the show floor.

This type of advancement is causing concern for Roman Alejo, a 34-year-old barista at the Sahara hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip. He can’t help but question if hospitality jobs will soon become obsolete in the era of AI.

“It’s quite frightening because there’s no guarantee for tomorrow,” he expressed. “There’s a significant influx of AI into our society. It’s unsettling and thought-provoking to witness the idea of humans being replaced by other humans.”

The largest tech exhibition in the world brought attention back to concerns about the impact of AI on union jobs, just a little over a month after the Las Vegas casino workers union approved new contracts for 40,000 employees, putting an end to a highly publicized dispute.

Ted Pappageorge, the secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union, stated that technology was a major point of contention and was one of the final matters to be settled. He led the teams in negotiations for new five-year contracts, which narrowly prevented a potential strike at over a dozen hotel-casinos on the Strip.

Hospitality employees who were interviewed by The Associated Press during a period of eight months of negotiations expressed their willingness to accept a reduction in salary while on strike in order to secure better job security measures against the expected progress of technology. This includes technologies that are already being used in some resorts, such as self-service check-in kiosks, automated valet ticket systems, and “tipsy robots” that serve as bartenders.

Pappageorge noted that the use of robotics in the hospitality and service sector has been a concern for the union for quite some time. In an interview with The Associated Press, he explained that the current difference is the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics.

According to experts, advancements in AI technology have caused labor unions to reconsider their approach to negotiating with corporations.

According to Bill Werner, an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas specializing in the hospitality industry, unions must now be more strategic in their discussions regarding job protection.

The potential changes to casino union positions in jeopardy may be significantly altered in the next five years, particularly when the Culinary Union’s agreement expires.

He asked what will become of these individuals and what rights they possess. Additionally, he questioned the repercussions if they are replaced by a robot in their employment.

The most recent agreement between the union and the company included an enhanced safety net for employees, which entitles them to receive $2,000 in severance pay for each year of service in the event of job elimination due to technology or artificial intelligence. Additionally, employees now have the option to transfer to a different department within the company.

Pappageorge stated the necessity of creating new language to safeguard employees from current and future technology advancements.

According to Pappageorge, the notion that technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence have no regulation can cause significant harm. Therefore, we must proactively address this issue, and CES is the ideal platform for doing so.

Over 100 members of the union were present at the trade show this week to investigate new technology that could potentially jeopardize casino jobs.

There were many new innovations showcased at the event, such as robots that assist with deliveries in hospitality and food service industries. There was also a robotic masseuse, as well as bots capable of making and serving coffee, ice cream, and boba. Smart grills powered by artificial intelligence were also on display, able to handle tasks like broiling and searing without human assistance in the kitchen. One company even showcased chef-like robots, hinting at a future with “autonomous restaurants.”

Meng Wang, one of the co-founders of Artly Coffee, a food tech startup, is among the 4,000 exhibitors at this year’s CES. He clarified that their goal is not to replace jobs. Wang explained that their self-operating barista robots can assist in addressing the shortage of workers in the service sector.

According to the speaker, being a barista is a challenging job that requires a lot of physical work and involves working long hours. The pay for this job is not very satisfactory. However, the speaker clarifies that their goal is not to eliminate jobs, but rather to meet the demand in the market and make specialty coffee more accessible in various locations.

Werner expressed concern that AI could potentially jeopardize jobs within the casino union that do not involve direct interaction with customers, such as housekeeping, food preparation, and cooking roles.

According to the speaker, the absence of concerns about customer service in the industry significantly reduces the risk of automation. This is particularly relevant for tourist destinations like the Las Vegas Strip, where customers have high expectations for exceptional service and cutting-edge technology.

He mentioned that Las Vegas is an ideal location for testing and evaluating customer response.

The Culinary Union and its members, including Alejo the barista, recognize that the hospitality industry is constantly changing.

Alejo expressed amazement at the advancements in technology, but also expressed concern about the overwhelming presence of technology in modern society.

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This report was contributed to by video producer James Brooks.

Source: wral.com