# Humanoid Robots in Tourism and Hospitality--Exploring Managerial, Ethical, and Societal Challenges
## 4 Results and Discussion
### AI Management and Ethics of Humanoid Robots
As humanoid robots become more prevalent in roles such as concierge services, customer support, or as part of the entertainment and experience offerings, stakeholders must navigate these ethical considerations thoughtfully. Ensuring that guests are aware of and comfortable with the use of AI, while preserving the human qualities that define the hospitality experience, will be essential in maintaining a trustworthy and ethical approach to AI integration in tourism and hospitality. The document from the European Commission, dated 26 January 2024, on the proposal for a regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI Act), highlights several critical considerations regarding the deployment and operation of AI systems, including autonomous robots, across various sectors. When considering the application of humanoid autonomous robots in the tourism and hospitality industry, it is essential to integrate the document's insights to ensure these technologies enhance service delivery while safeguarding health and safety because a primary concern associated with the advancement of AI is its safety and accountability [62; 72; 73]. Furthermore, given the significant impact of AI on society and the essential need to build trust, it is vital that the development of AI in Europe adheres to fundamental principles and rights, such as respect for human dignity and the protection of privacy [74; 75]. There is a complex and controversial debate about granting humanoid robots in the tourism and hospitality sectors a form of legal personality termed \"electronic persons\", as discussed in the \"European civil law rules in robotics\" [42]. The proposal aims to address legal issues arising from robots making autonomous decisions or interacting with third parties, potentially holding them accountable for damages. However, critics argue that assigning legal personality to robots is inappropriate because they lack consciousness and feelings. Legal personality traditionally serves to attribute liability and operational functionality, not to acknowledge consciousness or moral consideration. Therefore, allowing robots to independently participate in legal activities without human intervention is considered scientifically, legally, and ethically unfeasible at present and in the foreseeable future. In the tourism and hospitality industry, the application of humanoid robots is increasingly prevalent, raising questions about their role and legal status. Assigning legal personality to robots could complicate their integration into these sectors by imposing rights and duties on entities that are fundamentally tools designed to serve human needs. For instance, could a humanoid robot in a hotel refuse tasks based on a right to self-preservation, or demand remuneration for its services? Such scenarios highlight the impracticality of endowing robots with rights and obligations, potentially stifling the growth of the robot market in these industries. Moreover, the push for recognizing robots as electronic persons could blur the lines between humans and machines, challenging the humanist foundations of Europe and reigniting fears of artificial beings surpassing human capabilities. The primary role of robots, especially in service-oriented sectors like tourism and hospitality, should remain that of serving and augmenting human efforts, not equating to, or replacing them. The notion of creating a legal personality for robots is critiqued as a departure from practicality,driven more by science fiction than by a realistic assessment of the benefits and implications for society and industries reliant on humanoid robots. In terms of humanoid robots in tourism and hospitality, the following five aspects can be taken into consideration:  
1. Safety and compliance: The document underscores the importance of ensuring that all products, including those with digital components like AI systems, are safe and compliant with Union harmonisation legislation.