Artificial Intelligence is increasingly spreading in various sectors in Italy and around the world.
In the last period, some testing areas have emerged specifically in two sectors that have been little talked about until now: catering and insurance.
Its employment prospects are currently promising in both sectors, although with important differences.
Artificial Intelligence in the restaurant industry
The restaurant sector has been one of the most penalized after Covid-19, with closures, layoffs and resignations. Now that tourism has restarted, the sector is notoriously struggling to find staff. Heavy shifts, often inadequate salaries, the need to find accommodation sometimes in places other than the usual place of residence, seasonal employment are some of the factors that explain this shortage. While the use of robots is still not very widespread in Italy, in other countries, Asia first and foremost, it is spreading like wildfire. The USA is also taking action in this regard. The robot can be useful especially in two jobs: waiter and chef.
The robot waiter
The aesthetic appearance of the robot waiter is obviously captivating, and its movements are fluid and effective. Interaction with the customer takes place via a touch screen: the customer can browse the menu, obtain information, place their orders. A series of sensors, cameras and special algorithms allow it to move around the restaurant, avoiding obstacles and adapting to various situations. A facial recognition system allows it to detect the emotions of customers. The robot is equipped with a multilevel tray, where the kitchen staff places the dishes after orders. The robot goes to the table and notifies customers via a sound signal.
Other tasks of the robot waiter
However, there are places that use the waiter robot to help the waiting staff to clear the tables at closing time, loading the trays so that the robot can take the used dishes to the kitchen, or to the entrance to welcome customers. The most likely use is to cover seasonality, or during the occurrence of specific events of great appeal, when the need for staff experiences real spikes.
Artificial Intelligence and the Chef
The figure of the chef is one of those that combines creativity, experience and manual skills. Its total replacement with the robot is currently very difficult, but there are experiences in which the robot helps the chef in the practical execution of a myriad of operations, speeding up the activity. Human monitoring is therefore indispensable, but the working time is affected in a decidedly positive way.
The future of cooking
There is reason to believe that the restaurant industry will also have to gradually integrate the challenges of our time. Cultural changes, the evolution of the labor market, demands for productivity and sustainability, inclusion and customization, customer expectations. Artificial intelligence could provide restaurateurs with the ability to propose multisensory and immersive experiences through virtual reality: a significant plus for your venue.
Artificial Intelligence in Insurance
In the insurance sector, however, artificial intelligence is a more studied and realistic phenomenon. A recent conference promoted by theLa Sapienza University of Rome he has explored its reality and prospects. Evaluation of the facts and verification of responsibilities, definition of the damage, quantification of the damage and related process of liquidation These are crucial steps for both the insurance company and, obviously, the customer. Another key aspect is the ability to speed up communication in cases where multiple parties are involved in the same context. A typical example is forensic medicine. Finally, it should be kept in mind that in a rapidly changing society, claims are also constantly evolving, with the emergence of new forms of damage.
The help of technology
At the Rome conference it emerged that, in a similar context, artificial intelligence allows data to be processed so that a claim becomes more objectifiable. It is possible to historicize claims that present similar characteristics. Having similar analysis methodologies for similar claims allows the insurance company to be faster and more objective in the liquidation of damages. The benefits are clear both for the organization itself and for customer satisfaction.
The other side of the coin
The Rome conference, however, also highlighted the problems that artificial intelligence poses in all sectors and, consequently, also in the insurance sector. Beyond any specific regulations, the need to not be caught unprepared in the face of technological development and the use, sometimes perhaps too enthusiastic, of such tools emerged. Training, professional updating, protocols shared between the various bodies are the tools to implement good practices and limit possible risks, starting with the legal and ethical ones.
Constant attention
A positive factor can also be the attention and awareness of these phenomena by all "common mortals" and not only by specialistsi. In fact, these are strategic sectors for everyone, which affect the lives of all citizens and have an impact on many daily choices, even the apparently most insignificant ones.
