"Restaurant Owner's Robot Hire Sparks Outpour of Angry Messages"

A struggling restaurant owner in Estacada, Oregon, leased a robot named Plato to help with serving food due to difficulties in finding servers and rising costs. While some customers found the experience "phenomenal," others expressed anger and vowed never to return. The owner clarified that the robot was meant to assist the human staff, not replace them. Despite the mixed reactions, small businesses like The Cazadero have been early adopters of robots like Plato to address staffing issues and improve efficiency. However, the introduction of the robot has led to a decrease in tips for some servers. The owner believes that AI will play a significant role in the future of the restaurant industry, even in rural communities.