Artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging technologies are beginning to change the way restaurant businesses operate—and the impact on the U.S. workforce isn’t far off.The so-called technology-induced displacement of employees (TIDE) will mean a big evolution in how employers train, how employees adapt and compete and how policymakers write labor laws, experts say.
The National Restaurant Association in May took on expanded leadership roles in the Emma Coalition to help prepare for the changes. The nonpartisan group aims to bring together small and large American businesses across industries, labor representatives, academic experts and others to advocate for ways that today’s employees and employers can evolve and adapt together as more technologies enter the market.
A chief aim of the group is to encourage Congress to take a new approach to workforce education and policy. “Government, industry and policymakers all have an opportunity to examine TIDE issues today, and forge consensus around policies that can help us prepare in advance for the technology and workforce of the future,” said the Association’s Vice President of Public Policy Shannon Meade, who serves as the coalition’s executive director.
With a workforce of 15.3 million, “the restaurant industry is at the epicenter of this dramatic transformation,” Meade said. “We are excited to help lead this conversation.”
The Association co-founded the coalition with Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management. Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association and its Educational Foundation, serves on the coalition’s board.
The coalition’s new report, “Automation & Artificial Intelligence: TIDE at the Tipping Point,” documents the pace of technology change and disruption as well as activities policymakers can take to address TIDE at local, state and federal levels. News reports often focus on negative implications of automation, but many economists have found automation leads to positive effects on the labor market, economic growth, reduced prices and increased demand.
Visit EmmaCoalition.com to learn more.
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