Four tech innovations already changing how hotels and restaurants operate
Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management hosted more than 300 industry representatives, students and faculty at Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day (TIED) @ the Bay in May. The event showcased four technologies already deployed in hospitality businesses.
Robots serving drinks and taking orders
VaultBots demonstrated Luka, a 5-foot-7, 150-pound humanoid robot powered by artificial intelligence. The robot can walk, talk, lift 30 pounds and respond to guest questions in real time.
Gary Khachatryan, CEO and founder of VaultBots, said the robot's physical capability combined with AI makes it useful for concierge services and guest engagement in hotels. Luka has the dexterity to sew a needle and the processing power to understand complex requests.
Conversational AI that translates in real time
Marriott operates more than 9,000 hotels across 143 countries. Language barriers create friction when guests need help.
Jessie Fischer created GuestOS, a conversational AI tool that translates guest requests across nearly 100 languages instantly. During the event, Fischer demonstrated the platform switching between Spanish and Chinese with a single click.
The goal is straightforward: let AI handle routine questions so staff can focus on personal connection with guests.
AI assistants that host events
Dale Gomez, an associate professor at the Chaplin School, created Penelope Apple-an AI agent trained on hospitality technology topics. At TIED @ the Bay, Penelope introduced speakers and guided transitions between sessions.
In the classroom, Gomez uses the tool to answer student questions about hospitality technology. He plans to restructure his course so that nearly half focuses on AI, reflecting where the industry is headed.
Generative AI for marketing and menus
Generative AI can produce videos, marketing campaigns and promotional materials in seconds-work that typically takes human teams weeks or months.
Jennifer Jones, Vice President of Global Data and Analytics at Bacardi and keynote speaker at the event, said the real concern isn't whether AI replaces humans. "Human connection is a key part of the AI experience, and to me that's what makes humans irreplaceable," she said.
In practice, hospitality businesses use generative AI to draft marketing plans, create menu concepts and produce video templates. Humans then refine these outputs into finished work.
Jones compared it to mixology: "A great cocktail isn't about one perfect ingredient. It's about everything working together, made real by a skilled hand."
What this means for your business
These four technologies are not hypothetical. Hotels and restaurants are already deploying them. Understanding how they work-and where they fit into your operation-is now a practical skill, not a future concern.
For hospitality professionals, the question is no longer whether to adopt these tools, but how to use them effectively while maintaining the human service that defines the industry.
Learn more about AI for Hospitality & Events and Generative AI and LLM applications in your field.
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