AI is ending job security (and that’s a big opportunity for hospitality)
Just in the past few weeks, AutoGPT has emerged, which is AI that controls other AI to do increasingly complex tasks. AI will start coding itself, which makes formerly hot skills like software engineering far less valuable. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence like this are happening each week now, instead of over months or years as in previous technology innovation cycles.
So what does all of this mean for us in hospitality?
To understand this, I spoke with Michael Hraba, Partner at Waterford Hotels & Inns. Michael is based in San Francisco - the epicenter for much of the technology we're seeing today - and runs operations for their collection of iconic properties such as The Inn At The Presidio.
His hot take? This is going to create a big recruiting opportunity for hotels and hospitality companies.
AI is going to make many more people look at hospitality as the place to build a durable career
In Michael’s view, hospitality-oriented service can't be taken over by AI. Building a career in hospitality provides career security in an increasingly AI-driven world because you’re providing something uniquely human that AI can never replicate.
He quoted David Kong who said: There’s no such thing as virtual hospitality.
Working with hotels is life-changing. You can impact people's lives in ways that reverberate long after they've left,
Michael told me.
There are so many expressions of this. Think about the huge wellness trend that’s been happening in hospitality. People are leaving hotels with inspiration on how to find peace, meditate, and chill out.
Working in areas like this wasn't always available in our industry, Michael observed. A career in hospitality is so much more diversified now, and there are opportunities across the board that cater to nearly anyone’s interests.
What does that mean? AI is going to make many more people look at hospitality as the place to build a durable career because there are so many jobs that can’t be replaced.
The icing on the cake with a career in hospitality is the human connection, which is something Michael has enjoyed throughout his own career and sees in others as well. People are rediscovering that post-pandemic, being around people and hearing their stories is a very fulfilling way to live and work.
People who left hospitality during the pandemic are starting to return
Something I found fascinating is that Michael is already seeing people who left the industry during the pandemic start to come back.
We’ve seen a lot of people who left the hotel industry over the past few years returning and telling us they can’t sit at a desk anymore and continue with the jobs they had in other industries.
People are looking for more human, meaningful, and worthwhile ways to spend their time and energy at work. There’s nothing more marginalizing than feeling like you’re just a part of an algorithm, clicking buttons on the internet for work.
All of this means the opportunity to recruit into hospitality is better than ever. There’s never been a better time to build your career in the hotel industry, and it will only become more attractive as technology and artificial intelligence advances,
Michael said.
In the past, the hotel industry hasn’t communicated the advantages of working in our industry. We haven’t done a great job building culture. But that’s changed. Hotel leaders have learned we have to be more empathetic to the human experience for employees, which makes hospitality a better place to build your career than ever before.
Moving forward, the human connection is going to be celebrated. People are starting to realize they can make a drink for someone, have a conversation, make them happy, change their life - and do that as a job you get paid for!
People across industries and around the world are fearful AI will make them replaceable. It’s time for us to use this moment to make the case for why hospitality can be the best place to build a long-term, fulfilling career.
Listen to Michael talk about this further in his own words on the Hospitality Daily podcast: Worried about AI? Try a career in hospitality.
