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Podcast: Digital Hospitality
Episode: Turning Busy Phones into Business Boosters with AI
Description: Maria Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Palona AI, is on a mission to humanize technology for restaurants. With experience from leading roles at Tinder, Instagram, and Meta, Zhang now focuses on hospitality. Palona AI’s voice technology answers calls, takes orders, and even replicates the owner’s voice, ensuring every guest interaction feels personal. At Cali BBQ, this means customers hear a warm, familiar voice every time they call, even during busy hours. Zhang’s approach—combining cutting-edge AI with a deep respect for hospitality—helps restaurants scale service without losing their soul. Palona AI is more than tech; it’s a hos...