ICYMI - The Robot Didn't Replace the Waiter. It Replaced the First Job

Technology analyst Carmi Levy joins to talk about where restaurant automation is actually heading, and what gets lost when the entry-level job disappears from the equation. Robots are already in restaurants, following servers from kitchen to table, handling the physical load so staff can focus on service. Carmi is fine with that version. What concerns him is the version where the human is removed entirely. McDonald's tried AI in the drive-thru, pulled it after too many errors, and is now trying again with more mature technology. Wendy's and White Castle are doing the same. The kiosk replaced the counter. The robot is replacing the runner. And the first job that taught generations of kids how to show up, take direction, and function in a workforce is quietly going away with nothing equivalent replacing it. Topics: restaurant robots AI, fast food automation, entry level jobs technology, AI drive-thru, Carmi Levy GUEST: Carmi Levy Originally aired on 2026-06-25