Students learn AI to prepare for hospitality careers

Artificial intelligence (AI) is permeating many parts of our lives. You can also choose coffee blends and clothing, and check tulip fields for diseased flowers.

So it makes sense that AI would be used in hospitality research, says Rachel J.C. Hu, a professor at the University of Florida. Hospitality means hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and event planning.

Fu said some of the latest tools allow students to practice real-life situations they might encounter when working in hotels, restaurants, events, etc. Chris Anderson, a business professor at Cornell University, said AI tools are already helping hotels market and respond to hotels. client.

Experience AI as soon as possible

Mr. Fu's recent books Application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robots in hospitality business A look into the future of hospitality in the age of artificial intelligence.Hu says business students need to be familiar with AI programming tools if they want a career in hotels and restaurants. management.

Hu told VOA that the hospitality industry is already seeing AI and robots used “quite a lot.” For example, airlines use AI to respond to customer service, and airports use AI to manage cleaning operations.

AI can also be used for sales support.

FILE – The company logo for travel website TripAdvisor hangs at its headquarters in Needham, Mass., Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Fu said that when she visited a museum in her native Taiwan in 2015, a robot followed her. At the end of her visit, her robot told her about what she could buy in the gift shop. She also told her about other parts of the museum she might want to visit.

The use of robots has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. They can do jobs that people don't want to do because they're worried about getting sick. As an example, Fu noted that robots are beginning to be used to deliver food from hotel kitchens to people staying in their rooms.

“Just by using your iPhone, scan And pick up the food,” she said.

AI is already working invisibly

Anderson is a professor at Cornell University's S.C. Johnson College of Business. His work focuses on helping hospitality companies, such as hotels and car rental companies, choose the right price for their rooms and cars.

He said most hotels already allow guests to use an app to check in and enter their rooms. At some point, airline passengers may be able to check in and board a plane using facial recognition.

Although the technology seems complicated, Anderson said the most important skill for students is “the desire to learn.” In an email to VOA Learning English, he added: flexible, take on new projects and learn new skills. ”

AI experience differentiates job seekers

Anderson said students in technology and data studies programs should consider working in hospitality companies. “Digital marketing, distributionand revenue “The management team is very data and technology rich,” he said. And large hospitality companies need these skills.

File 0 This April 10, 2017 photo shows an LG Electronics cleaning robot moving to clean floors at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young Jun)

Fu says that when making hiring decisions, if a manager is considering two qualified candidates and one of them has experience in AI, “that person is extremely valuable to the company.” He will be a very talented person,” he added.

“You can replace one human with another only if that human knows how to leverage AI.”

Mr Fu said one of the most important jobs in the hospitality industry is what is called “front of the house.” It's the person who connects with the customer upon arrival at the hotel or restaurant.

But from now on, robots will do some of that work. However, she pointed out that humans don't need to worry about losing their jobs to robots, as they can use their creativity to “take our industry and visitor experience to the next level.”

Eventually, artificial intelligence will be used to help hotels and restaurants greet visitors. By allowing data to be shared, hotels may be able to understand visitors' food and drink preferences and prepare them upon arrival.

Business and marketing students are still “naive”

Karlie Malone recently completed her studies in Hospitality Management at the University of Arkansas. She is currently planning her studies for her qualification. advanced degree in event management from New York University.

For her final research paper, Malone discussed AI with nine top managers in the hotel business. Malone said most companies use AI in ways that are invisible to customers, such as looking through spreadsheets or recommending business plans.

She said that the topic of AI came up in class, but not many students seemed interested in it.

“From what I’ve heard from other classmates, honestly, if there were 25 kids in the class, there’d probably only be 4 of them talking about AI compared to the rest of the kids. We haven't talked yet. naïve On topic. I think that's the best way to describe it. ”

The University of Florida has an Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics program for hospitality and event management. Students are required to take her three classes covering the use of artificial intelligence and data collection in tourism and hospitality.

Other universities offer similar classes, and there are also short-term study abroad programs for people already working in the hospitality industry.

At Cornell University, Anderson teaches one class per weekend. He is aimed at those already working in the hospitality industry and helps them understand how AI can be used to make their jobs easier.

a wide open future

Anderson said there are “a lot of opportunities” because large hotel groups are just beginning to use AI. company Be careful not to be too late or too early. ”

Chris Anderson teaches about AI and its use in revenue management for travel and hospitality companies. (Photo provided by Cornell University)

Both Hu and Anderson said this will provide international students in the United States with the opportunity to gain experience with hospitality companies during work programs and optional on-the-job training.

“this is global It's a business,'' Fu said, noting that companies like Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt have hotels all over the world.

Mr Anderson suggested that some young people could “advance” by gaining experience in international hotels in their home countries. brand Leveraging industry-specific knowledge and transition To America”

I'm Dan Friedel. And I'm Katie Weaver.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English.