“The “clerk behind the counter” could be an AI or a touchscreen, as seen in many fast-food restaurants.”
Could this world get more bizarre than it already is? You betcha. I’m envisioning something along the lines of Michael Jackson’s AI as your customer service ‘agent’.... a la Back To The Future. And...considering the “”in yer face”” attitude of the woke left, I’m betting the AI sims will be much more offensive.
Those are already a reality in many places. The kiosks are much more polite and have less attitude than the average retail clerk. And it doesn’t spit in your food or sabotage your order.