AI Is Coming for Detroit Jobs. We're Not Ready.

Detroit, MI. AI is rapidly replacing human work in fast food.

Detroit, Let's stop playing. When you hear talk about Artificial Intelligence reshaping the workforce, what it means, especially those in fast food and other service industries: AI has already cost some friends their jobs, reducing hours, and changing what work looks like. For those who've seen their hours cut, or watched a new kiosk go in, this isn't a future problem; it's a RIGHT NOW problem.

Hold The Line

Those kiosks and automated voices at the drive-thru, oh yeah they want your spot! Corporations like Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell) are aggressively rolling out AI systems, with plans to have them in hundreds of restaurants this summer. This isn't just about speed;

it's about reducing human labor, essentially reducing the overall cost. And don't think your neighborhood Coney Island won't be adding AI soon either. If it saves a buck, they'll do it.

For many Detroiters, this hits hard. "Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations" are already one of the fastest declining job sectors in our area. This isn't just a national trend; this is really happening. Loman.ai, drawing on reports from Goldman Sachs and the National Restaurant Association, predict AI could replace up to 40% of restaurant jobs, with roles like drive-thru operators, cashiers, and basic food prep workers being the most vulnerable.

You see the pressure. You've seen the overworked staff, often poor Detroiters, doing their best with limited resources, sometimes leading to the frustratingly poor service that's become a stereotype for our city compared to the suburban locations. Now, instead of hiring more people to improve service, they're bringing in machines. If AI is taking orders, if robots are doing the frying, where does that leave the workers who've built their lives around these roles? It means fewer hours, less job security, and the chilling realization that their skills are being devalued by an algorithm.

The Elephant in the Room: Your Responsibility

Here's where it gets uncomfortable, but it needs to be said: While corporations and profit are driving this, you, as a Detroit worker, have a responsibility to yourself and your family to get on the Grynd and adapt. The world is changing, whether we like it or not. Sticking to old skills in jobs that are clearly being automated is what we call, a "dummy mission".

This isn't about blaming the victim; it's about empowerment. If your job involves repetitive tasks – taking orders, processing data, simple assembly – you are in the crosshairs. You need to look honestly at your situation and ask: What new skills can I gain now to make myself indispensable, or to pivot to a role AI can't easily replace?

Did I Learn That In School?

Lets look at the job the schools have done over the last decade. Have they prepared kids for this reality, or have they been operating with a curriculum that's largely irrelevant to the demands of an AI-driven blockchain economy?

While we are seeing efforts, like at Detroit Training Center, or programs offered by Detroit Future City, and Black Tech Saturdays,

are these accessible to the average Detroiter? What about the Detroiter who catches two buses to work the double at White Castle? More particularly is their a partnership with the schools that matches their education with the careers that will be available?

How many young Detroiters are being funneled into dead-end careers, destined for the AI job massacre, instead of being rocketed into the future with fields like robotics maintenance, or advanced data analysis? What about Skilled trades and hands-on careers, championed by incredible programs like The Detroit Training Center, EITI Detroit, and Focus:HOPE? These aren't just "old-school jobs; they're "legacy careers", especially when combined with cutting-edge AI training and digital literacy. These are the bulletproof vests our real Detroiters need to survive this coming storm, offering multiple options to AI-proof your future. Forget what you thought about the "digital divide" – it's not about internet access anymore; everyone's got that! If our schools aren't on the front lines, arming every student with both essential trade skills and AI fluency, then the responsibility falls on YOU.

Dollar The Leaders

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announces $100 million initiative to get Detroiters back to work

The city of Detroit got over $826 million in federal cash poured back during the Biden administration. They are rapidly spending down the money, it must be gone by the end of next year.  So, Detroit, you need to ask: How exactly is that money being used to save your job, or re-skill you for the AI onslaught? Our leaders, who've been handed this massive lifeline, campaign about "workforce development" while AI eats away at your livelihood, and the digital divide increased. Aggressively try to gain access to any of those promised training programs or funds before the ARPA money runs dry. It's on You to hold them accountable, to scrutinize every dollar. Demand transparency on how these hundreds of millions are actually impacting jobs. Get on your Grynd and continue to gain new skills. Because, when that bread is gone, if Detroiters have not truly been prepared for the 21st century economy, and your political leaders move on to higher office, or go to work for the corporations, it will be no ones responsibility but your own to ready. For references and resources: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/how-detroits-arpa-funds-are-being-spent https://www.blacktechsaturdays.com/ https://detroitatwork.com/training https://dsdt.edu/ https://www.hiddengeniusproject.org/ https://trainandemploy.org/