An experimental cafe in a Stockholm residential neighborhood is now being managed entirely by an artificial intelligence named Mona [1, 2, 3].

The project tests whether AI can handle the complex logistics of a small business to achieve profitability without human managerial oversight [1, 3].

Mona is powered by Google Gemini and operated by a startup based in San Francisco [1, 2, 3]. The AI does not simply provide customer service; it functions as the general manager of the establishment [1, 2].

The startup said Mona is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the shop [1, 2, 4]. This includes handling inventory ordering, and managing the hiring process for staff [1, 2, 4].

While the AI manages the business side, human baristas remain on-site to interact with customers and prepare drinks [1]. The experiment focuses on the operational efficiency of the AI in a real-world retail environment [1, 3].

The Stockholm location serves as a live laboratory for the San Francisco firm to refine the AI's ability to make financial and personnel decisions [1, 3]. By automating the managerial layer, the startup aims to determine if algorithmic decision-making can outperform traditional human management in a service-industry setting [1, 3].

“An experimental cafe in a Stockholm residential neighborhood is now being managed entirely by an artificial intelligence named Mona.”

This experiment represents a shift from using AI as a tool for individual productivity to using it as an autonomous corporate entity. If the startup proves that an AI can profitably manage hiring and supply chains in a physical retail space, it could signal a future where middle-management roles in the service industry are replaced by algorithmic oversight.