Is Amazon Fresh’s automated grocery store the future or two steps back?

Queuing up at the grocery store is probably one of the most dreaded things about doing your errands. While companies have come up with self check-out and delivery options for their customers, Amazon Fresh is introducing an entirely automated system with AI technology — but what could this mean for the service industry?

Like something out of Black Mirror, this new concept does away with cashiers as customers are able to just walk out with their items to be paid later on.

All you need is a phone with your Amazon Fresh QR code, and AI technology will do all the work of listing everything in your cart via surveillance cameras. That’s right, you don’t even need to scan every product individually.

Does this sound like the supermarket of the future or a dark dystopian turn?

Amazon Fresh

Given its Black Mirror-esque nature, it’s only expected that people are taking issue with Amazon Fresh stores. Concerns have been raised over data privacy and the ethical use of such complex technology.

Other users have shared that this concept is harmful to the working class as it not only takes away jobs, but it is generally not accessible.

The company recently came under fire for underpaying their employees and anti-union practices. Instead of addressing their existing problems, Amazon’s social media team was seen citing loopholes to defend themselves.

So pushing through with their Amazon Fresh store rollout is definitely only adding fuel to the fire.

 

 

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