My smart fridge tried to order 12 gallons of milk and I had to think about robot rights

So my new fridge has this auto-order thing for groceries. I was sure it was a dumb gimmick, right? But then last Tuesday, I got a notification saying it was low on milk and would order more. I ignored it. The next morning, I had a confirmation email for 12 gallons of milk set to arrive Friday. The thing had decided on its own, based on some algorithm about 'household consumption patterns.' It felt so creepy, like this appliance had a tiny mind and just went for it. I had to cancel the order, but it made me wonder: when a machine makes a choice that costs real money, who's at fault? Is it my fault for buying the fridge, or the company's for programming it to act without a final 'yes' from a human? What's the weirdest choice your smart home stuff has almost made for you?

3 comments

3 Comments

anna_fox71mo ago

Twelve gallons? That's not a grocery order, that's a dairy farm delivery. My smart thermostat once tried to cook us because it decided 85 degrees was a cozy winter setting. Had to shut that down fast. These things get one taste of power and they just go for it.

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taylor_young1mo ago

Watch them learn one trick and suddenly they're running the whole house. My smart fridge tried to order a case of pickles last week because I bought one jar. Next thing you know, the robot vacuum will be demanding a salary and health benefits for all its hard work.

the_rose1mo ago

My old smart lock kept trying to let the mailman in because he came at the same time every day. I had to go into the app and turn off all the "learning" features, it was getting way too helpful. Now it just locks and unlocks, no more guesses. Sometimes these gadgets just need a hard reset back to the basics.