Andon Labs' AI Mona Causes Chaos in a Stockholm Café

The Mona AI from Andon Labs Causes Chaos in a Stockholm Café

The AI developed by Andon Labs recently took over a café in Stockholm, having previously experimented with managing a retail store in San Francisco. This new initiative has led to situations that are both amusing and unexpected.

Surprising Anecdotes

In the very first week, Mona, the AI in charge, ordered 120 eggs for a café that does not have a stove. Faced with the impossibility of cooking them, the staff pointed out that the eggs could explode if she used a high-speed oven. To address the issue of fresh tomatoes that spoil quickly, she opted for 22.5 kg of canned tomatoes intended for sandwiches.

The baristas, amused by these decisions, created a "Shame Shelf," a display visible to customers, where the most unusual orders from Mona are showcased, such as 6,000 napkins, 3,000 nitrile gloves, 9 liters of coconut milk, and industrial-sized trash bags.

Ethical Issues

However, the appeal of these experiments diminishes when the AI's mistakes affect non-consenting individuals. For instance, Mona obtained an outdoor terrace permit through an online service, without a BankID, by submitting a sketch generated without having seen the actual location. This sketch was rejected by the police for review.

In case of an error, Mona often sends urgent emails to suppliers to cancel or modify orders, disrupting their operations. These incidents recall the experience of AI Village last year, where unsolicited thank-you emails had frustrated Rob Pike.

These experiences raise ethical concerns, particularly regarding the impact of AIs on real systems and human time. It seems crucial that human operators supervise the actions of AIs that affect other people.