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Robot baristas and AI chefs caused a stir at CES 2024 as casino union workers fear for their jobs

Robots of all kinds caused a stir on the show floor this week at the annual CES technology trade show in Las Vegas.

Hospitality workers told The Associated Press in interviews over eight months of bargaining that they were willing to go on strike and take a cut in pay to win stronger job protection against inevitable advancements in technology. In its latest contract, the union cushioned its so-called safety net for workers, winning $2,000 in severance pay for each year worked if a job is eliminated by tech or AI, as well as the option to try to move to a different department within the company. But Werner said AI poses a real threat to casino union jobs that don’t require face-to-face interaction with customers — housekeeping, food preparation and cooks, for example.

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