ISCO-08 5131
Waiters
11.4%
ADI · 350th of 433 · 95% interval 2.5–22.7
An AI agent can at least partly carry out 11.4% of the task time of waiters, and finish 0.0% alone. Most of the rest requires physical presence.
ADI · partial or full11.4%
350th of 433 · interval 2.5–22.7
ADI3 · full delegation0.0%
201st of 433 · interval 0.0–0.0
ADIs · share of time15.6%
350th of 433 · interval 10.2–21.9
Evidence39
task statements rated by two models and weighted by importance and frequency. World employment: 23.9 million.
Task weight by level
How the tasks rate
L0No meaningful role · 58.0%L1Augmentation · 30.6%L2Partial delegation · 11.4%L3Full delegation · 0.0%
Barriers
What stops the agent
Share of task weight flagged by each barrier; a task can carry several.
39 task statements, heaviest first
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Sonnet · Haiku | Barriers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collect payments from customers.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.4% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 4 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.3% | L0 | L0L1 | 10% | 4 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.3% | L1 | L1L1 | 22% | 5 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 1% | 4 min | Physical presence |
| Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.2% | L2 | L2L3 | 72% | 4 min | Access to systems |
| Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.2% | L2 | L2L2 | 40% | 9 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 4 min | Physical presence |
| Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.0% | L1 | L1L1 | 10% | 2 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.Waiters and Waitresses | 3.0% | L1 | L1L2 | 35% | 6 min | Physical presence, Trust and care |
| Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 15 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Inform customers of daily specials.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.8% | L1 | L1L2 | 28% | 2 min | Physical presence, Trust and care |
| Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 28 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.8% | L0 | L0L0 | 5% | 38 min | Physical presence |
| Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 6 min | Physical presence |
| Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 12 min | Physical presence |
Show the other 24 tasks
| Task statement (O*NET occupation) | Sonnet · Haiku | Barriers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.7% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 22 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.6% | L0 | L1L0 | 8% | 2 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.6% | L1 | L1L1 | 18% | 45 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.5% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 32 min | Physical presence |
| Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.5% | L0 | L0L0 | 1% | 4 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.5% | L2 | L2L3 | 62% | 5 min | Physical presence, Trust and care |
| Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.5% | L2 | L2L2 | 35% | 8 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.4% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 5 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Monitor food preparation or serving techniques to ensure that proper procedures are followed.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.4% | L1 | L1L1 | 15% | 30 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.Waiters and Waitresses · supplemental task | 2.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 2 min | Physical presence |
| Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 1% | 18 min | Physical presence |
| Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 0% | 10 min | Physical presence |
| Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.3% | L0 | L0L0 | 3% | 4 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Total checks, present them to customers, and accept payment for services.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant · supplemental task | 2.3% | L1 | L1L2 | 32% | 5 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Escort customers to their tables.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 2 min | Physical presence, Trust and care |
| Record amounts and types of special food items served to customers.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.2% | L1 | L1L1 | 22% | 8 min | Physical presence, Access to systems |
| Prepare food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, or beverages.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 8 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Access to systems |
| Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.2% | L0 | L0L0 | 2% | 12 min | Physical presence, Accountability |
| Stock service stations with items, such as ice, napkins, or straws.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.1% | L0 | L0L0 | 4% | 15 min | Physical presence |
| Determine where patients or patrons would like to eat their meals and help them get situated.Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | 2.1% | L0 | L0L1 | 8% | 4 min | Physical presence, Trust and care |
| Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.Waiters and Waitresses | 2.1% | L0 | L0L0 | 1% | 15 min | Physical presence |
| Describe and recommend wines to customers.Waiters and Waitresses · supplemental task | 1.9% | L1 | L1L2 | 42% | 4 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
| Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.Waiters and Waitresses · supplemental task | 1.9% | L0 | L0L0 | 3% | 4 min | Physical presence, Accountability, Trust and care |
| Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.Waiters and Waitresses | 1.5% | L1 | L1L2 | 40% | 3 min | Physical presence, Trust and care, Access to systems |
Level: consensus of the two models (the lower level when they disagree). Share: part of the task’s working time an agent could take over. Human time: minutes a competent person needs for one instance, as estimated by the models.
Against other measures
Exposure is not delegation
| Measure | Value | Percentile | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADI (this index) | 11.4% | 19 | |
| Eloundou et al. (2024), GPT exposure β | 0.166 | 29 | |
| Felten et al. (2021), AI occupational exposure | -0.874 | 26 | |
| Webb (2020), AI patent exposure | 7 | 3 | |
| Eisfeldt et al. (2026), generative AI exposure | 0.093 | 37 | |
| Anthropic Economic Index, observed use | 0 | 16 |
Earlier indices measure whether AI can touch a task; ADI measures how much of it an agent can carry out from a goal. – : the source does not cover this occupation.
Same sub-major group (51)
Neighbouring occupations
| Occupation | ADI | % |
|---|---|---|
| Driving instructors 5165 | 59.2 | |
| Cleaning and housekeeping supervisors in offices, hotels and other establishments 5151 | 55.3 | |
| Astrologers, fortune-tellers and related workers 5161 | 52.6 | |
| Travel guides 5113 | 43.6 | |
| Domestic housekeepers 5152 | 39.6 | |
| Companions and valets 5162 | 36.8 | |
| Personal services workers not elsewhere classified 5169 | 36.4 | |
| Beauticians and related workers 5142 | 26.5 | |
| Hairdressers 5141 | 25.8 | |
| Undertakers and embalmers 5163 | 24.7 | |
| Cooks 5120 | 24.2 | |
| Pet groomers and animal care workers 5164 | 23.8 |
Dashed line: waiters (11.4%).
Cite this record
Text
Espinal Maya, Cristian, and Santiago Jiménez Londoño. 2026. ADI v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and MCP server. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918. Record: Waiters (ISCO-08 5131), https://balamlabs.org/adi/occupations/5131
BibTeX
@misc{espinal2026adidata,
title = {{ADI} v2026.1: Agent Delegability Index data, code and {MCP} server},
author = {Espinal Maya, Cristian and Jim{\'e}nez Londo{\~n}o, Santiago},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Zenodo},
version = {v2026.1},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23552918},
note = {Record: Waiters (ISCO-08 5131)}
}Machine-readable
The same record as static JSON, with its citation: /adi/v2026.1/isco/5131.json.