Lady Umami cooks alone

Artificial intelligence has become part of everyday life in many businesses – but by 2026, it will become a structural imperative. The focus is no longer on testing individual tools, but on the question of how AI can be deployed reliably, effectively, and across the entire organization. Examples from tourism, events, and organizations already demonstrate today how scaling works in practice – and where AI specifically reduces the workload.

A clear turning point is emerging for the year 2026. The company-wide deployment of AI is taking center stage. This is the conclusion reached by Hamburg-based AI expert and interim manager Eckhart Hilgenstock, who has analyzed numerous national and international studies on the development of artificial intelligence. His conclusion is clear: “Following the pilot project phase in 2024/25, many companies are aiming to scale AI within their organizations by 2026.”

Dry January is no longer just a month of abstinence. It’s a barometer. For changing guest preferences. For more conscious consumption patterns. For a new aesthetic of enjoyment. Anyone who still believes in 2026 that non-alcoholic drinks are merely lemonade in a crystal glass has failed to grasp the trend. At Bar Montez in the Rosewood Munich, Bar Manager Mario Sel demonstrates just how sophisticated, structured, and gastronomically relevant non-alcoholic creations can be today – and why they have long been a strategic component of contemporary bar culture.

Across all areas of life, the food service industry is becoming more emotional, flexible, and relevant: Chain restaurants are showing more character, transit dining is evolving from a quick stop to an experiential space, and in the context of New Work, cuisine is becoming a central factor for culture, health, and employer attractiveness.