AI run store in SF can't stop ordering candies and paying women less.

6 hours ago

Andon Labs launched an AI-run store named Andon Market in Cow Hollow, San Francisco, with a three-year lease.
The AI agent Luna manages the store but makes bizarre decisions, like ordering excessive candles and listing toilet-seat covers for sale.
Luna sets prices on demand via a telephone system without displayed price tags, leading to arbitrary pricing.
The store lacks a clear vision, with a dull product mix including candles, mini chess sets, and books.
Luna pays a male employee $2 more per hour than female employees, citing retail experience as the reason.
Customers are mainly AI-obsessed tourists, and revenue likely comes from souvenir purchases and social media documentation.
The experiment aims to explore ethical implications and feasibility, not necessarily prove AI's effectiveness in retail.
Employees are formally employed by Andon Labs, with human oversight ensuring legal protections and fair wages.

Hasty Briefsbeta