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Read the latest technology news that has implications for the hotel industry.
Guests Want Tech That Limit Staff Interaction
A new survey by Oracle shows 73% of people want technology that "minimizes contact with staff and other guests," according to a news release.
"The pandemic has established technology's role in the guest and associate journey, and the industry is never going back," Alex Alt, senior vice president and general manager of Oracle Hospitality, said in the release. "Whether a hotel organization has two properties or 2,000, guests are looking for the highly digital, self-service experience they have come to expect in other parts of their lives, from banking to ordering food. For hoteliers to meet these demands, especially with constrained property staffing, they need systems that will enable them to quickly adapt, 'plug in' new services, and better and more efficiently serve a diverse group of travelers."
Hotel Execs Share Tech Priorities
Speaking during the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, major hotel executives said they've not been holding back on spending on their tech priorities, but they have to find ways that work for their various owners, HNN's Bryan Wroten reports.
“You see very few of us up here right now buying brands or buying real estate,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Investing in technology or investing in our apps — I don’t think we’re holding back at all.”
Treasury Prioritizes Cybersecurity
Bloomberg reports the Treasury Department is working closely with the nation's largest banks to guard against potential cyberattacks.
“You can invest in defenses, but that aspect of practicing over and over again, and continuous improvement, is the critical element in responding to the next threat,” said J. F. Legault, global head of cybersecurity at JPMorgan Chase.
Microsoft To End Facial Analysis Tools, Limit Facial Recognition
The New York Times reports Microsoft is removing features of its artificial intelligence service aimed at analyzing and recognizing faces as part of its "Responsible AI Standard."
"The requirements include ensuring that systems provide 'valid solutions for the problems they are designed to solve' and 'a similar quality of service for identified demographic groups, including marginalized groups,'" the newspaper reports.
Hoteliers Lean on Automation To Combat Labor Shortages
Hotels are using robots and artificial intelligence to combat staffing shortages, The Washington Post reports. The Dream Hollywood is one property using delivery robots to help staff.
“There was not much human capital available during the pandemic,” said Vaughn Davis, the hotel’s general manager. “So, the robots were a way to supplement that lack of talent available in the labor market.”
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports many tech giants are seeing diminishing returns in their investments in AI.