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Anthony R. Wheeler, Dean, School of Business Administration�NENA Rise and Grind – February 10, 2023

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Roadmap of a Possible Future

  • What Is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
  • What Is the Current Status of Technology?
  • How Do Hospitality Professionals Current Use this Technology?
  • How Quickly Will the Technology Change?
  • What Are the Implications for this Change to Hospitality Professionals?
  • Is It All Doom and Gloom?
  • Questions?

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Ground Rules

Please Feel Free to Ask Questions at Any Point

Chat Jeff Any Questions You Have

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Is This Our Future?

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Or This?

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But Maybe These?

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If The Machines Get Us…

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What Is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

  • Group of Technologies Related to:
    • Automation
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Machine Learning (ML)
    • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • What Are the Differences?
  • Data and Connectivity Fuel the Revolution
    • Think Google, Social Media, and Amazon
    • Millions of Machines Connect Every Day
  • Singular Technology

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What Is the Current Status of Technology?

  • Automation Is Highly Refined…
    • And Getting Cheaper
    • Retail and Fast Food Examples
  • Artificial Intelligence Is Good but Not Great
    • Hey Siri
    • Chatbots
    • Virtual or Holobots
  • Machine Learning Is an Elementary Schooler
  • IoT’s Limit Is Bandwidth

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How Do Hospitality Professionals Currently Use this Technology

  • Varies by Company and Investment - $1.2B Market by 2026
  • Already Running in Back Office
    • Algorithms in Staffing
    • AI-Backed Recruiting Tools (e.g. Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.)
    • Compensation Analysis
    • Wearable Tech
  • Booking/Reservations
  • Check-In and Out or Customer Flow at Venues
  • Paper/Card-less User Experience with Facial Recognition

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How Quickly Will the Technology Change?

  • What Is a “Generation” for…
    • Automation
    • AI
    • Machine Learning
  • Milestones
    • By 2030, Cars Will Be…
    • By 2035, Novels Will Be…
    • By 2045, Outpatient Surgeries Will Be…
  • What Is the Probability That All Human Work Will Be Replaced?

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What Are the Implications for this Change to Hospitality Professionals?

  • Industry Displacement Will Unevenly Occur
    • Example of the Accounting Industry
  • Nations Will Vary on Adoption
    • US and China Lead, Europe Lags, Developing Countries Struggle
    • Chasm between Have’s and Have Not’s Widens
  • Multiple Workforces
  • COVID and The Great Resignation Experiences
  • Operating Fast with Tech but Slow with Legacy
  • Future Skills
    • “Durable” Soft Skills but “Temporary” Hard Skills

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Is It All Doom and Gloom?

  • More Tech; More Human
    • The Premium of Human Interaction
    • Automation for Convenience; Humans for Experience
  • Universal Basic Income
    • Current State
    • Cultural Headwinds
  • What Would You Do if You Had Time to Pursue Your Passions?
  • A Possible Second Renaissance

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Questions or Comments?

Thank You for Your Time

Feel Free to Contact Me:

arwheeler@widener.edu