I, Scanner

Our grocery store just installed these AI cameras above every self-checkout. If the Al thinks that the item looks different than what’s scanned or punched in, it will stop the customer until an employee (lucky me!) comes and checks.

It’s so… so bad. 

It’s triggering every thirty seconds. I go up to a customer and just scan my badge, and move on.

Customer #1: “You’re not even going to look?”

Me: “Sir, this thing is extra sensitive, so I’m not taking the time to check anymore. We’ve asked management to try to bring down the machine’s sensitivity.”

Customer #1: “It can’t be that bad.”

Another customer calls me over.

Customer #2: “Excuse me! These camera things seem to think I’m trying to steal my own phone.”

Me: “Coming!”

Customer #3: “When you’re done with him, can you please tell the machine I’m not trying to steal my own son… who is still sitting in the shopping cart?”

I sigh.

Customer #1: “Never mind.”