AI manager “Mona” runs a cafe in Stockholm and even hires staff

A one of its kind cafe in Sweden’s capital is drawing global attention after becoming world’s first coffee shops operated almost entirely by AI.

Located in a residential area of Stockholm, the Andon Cafe appears like any modern café serving avocado toast and specialty coffee. 

However, behind the scenes, the business is managed by “Mona,” an AI system powered by Google Gemini and developed by San Francisco-based startup Andon Labs.

According to reports, Mona takes care of tasks ranging from menu creation and supplier coordination to financial management and hiring staff. 

‘Mona’ even posted job advertisements for the cafe on LinkedIn and Indeed. She is also well-equipped to conduct interviews and select employees.

Barista Kajetan Grzelczak, who was hired by the AI manager, said Mona performs well overall but sometimes makes strange purchasing decisions. 

He created what he jokingly calls a “wall of shame” displaying unnecessary bulk orders, including large quantities of cooking oil, canned tomatoes, gloves, napkins and coconut milk.

The experiment aims to explore how AI could shape future workplaces and raise ethical questions surrounding AI management, labor rights and accountability. 

Hanna Petersson from Andon Labs said the company wanted to test how an AI system behaves when responsible for real employees and real business operations.

Customers can interact directly with Mona through a dedicated phone inside the cafe. Moreover, a digital screen displays the cafe’s live revenue and financial performance.

The cafe has already started attracting dozens of curious visitors daily, mostly AI researchers who are eager to study the practical and ethical implications of artificial intelligence managing human workers.