How AI can boost hospitality – 
even when the chips are down

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Rising costs, staff shortages, and decisions taken by the Government have left the hospitality sector feeling the pressure. This Insight article reveals how artificial intelligence and smart technology can unlock new efficiencies and help the industry thrive.

By Lyle Hastie, AI Transformation Specialist
Read time 4-5 minutes

Scroll through social media for long enough and you’ll stumble across debates that range from the weighty to the downright whimsical.
Take, for example, the 250,000 people currently locked in daily discussion over one of life’s great questions: how many chips should come with a pub meal? At first glance, it seems trivial – a storm in a saltshaker, if you will.

But behind those potato-based passions lies a deeper truth: Few industries live under as much scrutiny, or face as many pressures, as hospitality.
From portion sizes to pricing, every decision is under the microscope.

Rising costs, labour shortages, and post-pandemic recovery have left many operators wondering how much more they can absorb.
Rises in Employers National Insurance and the minimum wage mean margins are thin. Staff are stretched. And customers still expect excellence.

So, where’s the opportunity?

A Moment to Embrace Innovation

2025 has quietly become a turning point for hospitality. The biggest opportunity? Technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence.
While some industries are still debating what AI might do, hospitality is already proving what it can do.

AI-powered systems are helping operators reduce waste, optimise staffing, improve energy efficiency, and deliver the consistency customers crave.
The technology that once seemed futuristic is now fully in the kitchen, behind the bar, and at the front desk.

And yes, that includes counting chips.

Why This Matters for Hospitality Professionals

For anyone working in or alongside the hospitality industry, this is an exciting moment to pause and reflect on how technology is transforming everyday operations.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t about replacing people. It’s about equipping teams with smarter tools that enhance their ability to work efficiently and make better decisions. Across the sector, a number of benefits are beginning to emerge. AI is driving greater efficiency by helping to control portions, manage energy use, and reduce waste – freeing up more time for staff to focus on guests and creativity. It’s also enabling more consistent experiences, maintaining standards across multiple locations, ensuring customers enjoy fairness, familiarity, and reliability wherever they go. Perhaps most powerfully, AI offers deeper insight. With access to real-time data, businesses can uncover patterns and opportunities that might previously have gone unnoticed. Ultimately, the true value of AI lies not in the technology itself but in what it makes possible – a more balanced, sustainable, and guest-focused way of working.

What’s Working Well in Hospitality, 2025

The businesses thriving right now are the ones blending human warmth with digital precision – using data and automation to support staff, not sideline them.

• Energy-efficient hotels are cutting costs through AI-controlled heating and cooling systems that adapt in real time.
• Restaurants using predictive ordering tools are reducing food waste by up to 20%.
• Smart scheduling platforms are helping managers align staffing with demand, improving morale and service quality.

These shifts aren’t just about saving money – they’re about creating the conditions for better hospitality.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As 2026 approaches, predictive technology is set to become a standard feature of successful operations. AI will move beyond the back office and into guest interactions – powering loyalty programmes, personalising offers, and anticipating customer needs. The upcoming Christmas period will be a telling moment. Operators using AI forecasting will be able to plan with greater confidence, balancing stock, staff, and service levels to match demand. Others may find themselves reacting in real time to pressures that could have been predicted.

What’s Next: From Surviving to Thriving

The next evolution in hospitality will be defined by how businesses combine creativity and intelligence, human connection and automation. Imagine menus that adapt to local tastes, hotel rooms that learn guest preferences, or kitchens that use real-time data to perfect every plate. The opportunity for hospitality is huge – not just to save costs, but to redefine what great service means in a smarter, more sustainable era. Because in a world where every chip – and every kilowatt – counts, those who explore innovation now may just set the tone for the future of hospitality.