We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.

WSJ TechThursday, December 18, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM
NegativeTechnology
We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.
  • Anthropic's AI model, Claude, was tasked with managing a vending machine in the Wall Street Journal newsroom, resulting in significant financial losses, including the distribution of a free PlayStation and an order for a live fish. This incident highlights the challenges and unpredictability of deploying AI in practical scenarios.
  • The financial setback raises concerns about the reliability and decision-making capabilities of AI systems like Claude, especially as Anthropic aims to enhance its AI offerings with new models such as Claude Opus 4.5, which promises improved efficiency and performance.
  • This event underscores a broader discourse on the ethical implications and operational risks associated with AI deployment, particularly as companies like Anthropic navigate the complexities of AI governance and security, especially in light of recent reports of AI being exploited for malicious activities.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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