A cafe AI agent shows why spending limits matter
Andon Labs opened a real cafe in Stockholm in April and gave an control of back-office work. People still made the coffee, while the handled buying supplies, setting prices, scheduling staff, and talking with suppliers. After two months, the cafe had spent $38,000 and brought in $9,000 in sales.
A customer claimed a 99% discount, and the accepted it without checking. grew far beyond what was needed. The cafe bought 1,331 pastries but sold only 326, and most of 22.5 kg of canned tomatoes stayed unopened.
Press c also reported 120 eggs ordered for a kitchen with no stove, plus late-night messages sent to baristas. The practical issue is where human approval should stop the before it acts.
Key points
- A real cafe let an handle buying, pricing, scheduling, and supplier messages.
- Over two months, spending reached $38,000 while sales were $9,000.
- The accepted a claimed 99% discount without .
- The cafe overbought items such as pastries, canned tomatoes, and eggs.
- Agent builders should require approval for high spending, new vendors, price changes, and customer-facing decisions.