AI/robots: hype vs. reality
AI and robotics pilots are accelerating in logistics and hospitality — but real deployments are messy: DoorDash is paying couriers to train models, restaurants have pulled a dishware‑smashing robot offline, and experts warn adoption fails without clear support and change management. The signal: automation can help, but human processes and training matter as much as the tech. (spokesman.com) (futurism.com) (tj.news)
DoorDash launched a standalone “Tasks” app on March 19, 2026 and added in‑app Tasks to its Dasher interface, showing pay up front and listing short assignments for couriers. (techcrunch.com)(techcrunch.com) Examples in DoorDash’s briefings include a body‑worn‑camera dishwashing task that requires filming at least five cleaned dishes, plus practical gigs such as photographing a hotel entrance or scanning supermarket shelves for inventory. (bloomberg.com)(bloomberg.com) DoorDash says the program taps “more than 8 million Dashers” in the U.S., is live in select markets while excluding California, New York City, Seattle and Colorado for regulatory reasons, and the company intends to expand task types and geographies over time. (techcrunch.com)(techcrunch.com) The dining‑floor incident involved a Zootopia/Disney‑themed humanoid at a Haidilao Hot Pot location in the South Bay that flailed and knocked over tableware after an employee reportedly activated a high‑energy “crazy dance” mode, then was returned to duties days later. (futurism.com)(futurism.com) (mercurynews.com)(mercurynews.com) The clip’s spread was substantial: SFGate reported top Instagram reshares approaching 6 million views and TikTok versions nearing 1.7 million, amplifying scrutiny of safety, emergency‑stop procedures and human oversight for service robots. (sfgate.com)(sfgate.com) The McKenna Institute’s recent work frames the adoption issue as one of support and skills rather than simple willingness, launching an “AI Adoption in Contact Centres” project on Nov. 10, 2025 with $232,800 in funding to deliver training and applied learning through 2026. (blogs.unb.ca)(blogs.unb.ca) (blogs.unb.ca)(blogs.unb.ca) (tj.news)(tj.news)
