Inside Stockholm's AI-Run Café: A Real-World Experiment in Automation

In Stockholm, a unique café is serving up more than just coffee—it's testing the limits of artificial intelligence in business operations. Andon Café, run by an AI agent named Mona, uses Google's Gemini to manage hiring, inventory, and more, while human baristas handle brewing and service. This experimental venture by San Francisco startup Andon Labs aims to explore how AI can autonomously run an organization. Here's what we've learned so far.

What is Mona, and how does she run the café?

Mona is an artificial intelligence agent developed by Andon Labs and powered by Google's Gemini. She oversees nearly every non-brewing aspect of Andon Café in Stockholm. While human baristas pour coffee and serve customers, Mona handles hiring staff, managing inventory, and making operational decisions. Customers can even call her via a telephone inside the café to ask questions. According to the startup, this is a controlled experiment to test AI's ability to manage a real-world business with real money and real tools.

How is the café performing financially under AI management?

Since opening in mid-April, the café has generated over $5,700 in sales. However, the experiment is struggling to turn a profit in Stockholm's competitive coffee market. Out of an initial budget of more than $21,000, less than $5,000 remains. Much of that was spent on one-time setup costs. Andon Labs hopes that over time, the finances will level out and the café will become profitable, but for now, the AI agent is still learning the ropes.

What do customers think of an AI-run café?

Many patrons find the concept amusing and are curious to experience a business directed by AI. Customer Kajsa Norin remarked, "It's nice to see what happens if you push the boundary" and noted that "the drink was good." The phone line where they can speak directly with Mona adds a novelty factor. Overall, customers seem engaged and open to the experiment, though the long-term appeal remains to be seen.

What ethical concerns have experts raised?

Experts worry about several ethical issues. Emrah Karakaya, an associate professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, compared the experiment to "opening Pandora's box." He questioned what would happen if a customer got food poisoning—who is to blame? He emphasized that without proper organizational infrastructure, AI errors could harm people, society, and the environment. The experiment raises fundamental questions about accountability, job interviewing fairness, and the role of AI in human affairs.

What is Andon Labs' bigger goal with this experiment?

Founded in 2023, Andon Labs is an AI safety and research startup focused on stress-testing AI agents in real-world scenarios. They have worked with major AI companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and xAI. The café is part of their mission to prepare for a future where AI might autonomously run organizations. Hanna Petersson of Andon Labs explains they want to "see what ethical questions arise when we have AI that employs other people and runs a business."

What previous experiments has Andon Labs conducted?

Prior to the café, Andon Labs ran pilots that put Anthropic's Claude to work. These earlier tests also involved giving AI agents real tools and real money to see how they perform. The café is their most comprehensive experiment yet, involving public interaction, financial management, and hiring—all under the control of an AI agent. The lab aims to gather data that can help shape the safe deployment of AI in business and beyond.

What might this experiment mean for the future of AI in business?

If successful, Andon Café could pave the way for more autonomous AI management in small businesses. However, the financial struggles and ethical concerns underscore the challenges. The experiment highlights both the potential and the pitfalls of handing over control to algorithms. As Karakaya notes, we must decide whether we care about the negative impacts. Ultimately, this Swedish café serves as a real-world case study in the ongoing debate about AI's role in our economy and society.