In a recent move, Wendy’s has teamed up with Google to introduce AI chatbots to their drive-thru ordering system. Other restaurants such as CKE Restaurants, which owns Carl’s Jr and Hardees, have also implemented Chatbot technology and AI generative text.

It’s encouraging to observe how companies like Wendy’s & CKE Restaurant are using AI to bridge the gap. I am concerned that this could set a dangerous precedent. For instance, Japan has already experienced something similar. Since 2017, Japan has been taking advantage of #AI & #robots in restaurants. This has become a norm now, alongside conveyer belts for bringing food to customers. #Robot baristas have also become commonplace. Utilizing these technologies, businesses have seen increased productivity levels and cost reductions as well as improved product quality.

In Japan, income inequality has been worsened due to an over reliance on AI, robots and automation. As a result, the Japanese government has taken steps to invest in “cobots”; robots designed to work alongside humans. These collaborative machines are seen as a way of alleviating some of these issues caused by technology.

In 2017, billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates suggested that robots should be taxed in order to prevent a situation similar to the one Japan is facing. Such taxes would encourage businesses to opt for human labor over robotics as it would be more cost effective from a tax perspective. However, this might not resolve the problem as companies will still have no issues about paying extra taxes as their profit margin remains high. To ensure proper regulation of robots in the workplace, the federal government could pass laws such as establishing a human-robot ratio; for every 10 bots employed by an organization, there must at least be 20 human workers present who are proficient in the same task. In order to protect ourselves from the potential pitfalls of AI, we must take proactive steps now. For instance, social media was meant to bring us together but has instead caused an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. We need to find solutions that will help us avoid a possible economic disaster with far reaching ramifications.