Trending Now - Sweden's Experimental Cafe Operated by AI Agent Takes Shape

WHO:

Fast Company - The AI agent is nicknamed "Mona" and is operated by the San Francisco-based startup Andon Labs.

ABC News - Emrah Karakaya is an associate professor of industrial economics at Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

ABC News - Hanna Petersson is a member of Andon Labs’ technical staff.

ABC News - Barista Kajetan Grzelczak works at the Andon Café.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The Andon Café has made more than $5,700 in sales since its opening.

Fast Company - The café has less than $5,000 remaining from its original budget of over $21,000.

ABC News - The AI agent has placed orders for 6,000 napkins, four first-aid kits, and 3,000 rubber gloves.

ABC News - The AI agent has also ordered canned tomatoes that are not used in any dish served at the café.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The Andon Café is located in Stockholm, Sweden.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The Andon Café opened in mid-April.

ABC News - Andon Labs was founded in 2023.

WHY:

Fast Company - The café is described as a "controlled experiment" to explore how AI might be deployed in business.

ABC News - The goal of the experiment is to see what ethical questions arise when AI employs people and runs a business.

HOW:

Fast Company - The AI agent oversees hiring staff, managing inventory, and operational details.

ABC News - The AI agent communicates with baristas via Slack and has set up contracts for electricity and internet, as well as secured permits for food handling and outdoor seating.

ABC News - The AI agent advertised for staff on LinkedIn and Indeed and set up commercial accounts with wholesalers for daily bread and bakery orders.

(UPDATED May 11, 2026 23:21 UTC)

A new café in Stockholm, named the Andon Café, is making waves as a "controlled experiment" in the use of artificial intelligence in business, with an AI agent called "Mona" overseeing operations. Since its opening in mid-April, the café has generated over $5,700 in sales but has less than $5,000 left from its initial budget of over $21,000, while Mona has placed orders for various supplies, including 6,000 napkins and four first-aid kits. The AI agent not only manages inventory and hiring but also communicates with staff through Slack and has secured necessary permits for running the café.