Women’s AI fridge rants go viral, claims are not intelligent after all
Women claim that, after all, Samsung’s fridges with AI technology aren’t that intelligent.
Last year, when April Matta was searching for a new refrigerator, a line of electrical appliances featuring innovative features using artificial intelligence caught her eye.
The mother of three thought Samsung’s custom-made kitchen appliance could help her family stay better organized with features like a digital calendar and grocery tracking, she told USA Today.
But now that she owns a bespoke refrigerator, Matta said the technology wasn’t what she expected and her experience is going viral in Tiktok.
“I wasted money so you don’t need to,” she says in the clip.
Meanwhile, Samsung stands by its product and says that the functionality is effective if it is properly used and taken care.
Smart fridge confuses husband’s head for avocado
Matta shared her experience with Tiktok. As of June 10th, more than 200,000 refrigerator videos have been viewed there.
In the video, she said that the main AI features in the fridge are intended to track grocery items placed inside, but they weren’t functioning as she wanted them to. For example, I think my husband’s head is avocado and a bottle of ketchup is meat.
She also said in the video that she wasn’t happy with the ice tray in the freezer. She says there is no sensor to stop ice production – fingerprints and stains are shown on the outside of the fridge. However, there are a few features Matta likes, such as the automatic opening function for fridge doors and the connection to a doorbell camera.
Matta told USA Today that she decided to share the video to expose the “fantastic bells and whistles” that came with the appliance.
“Even something stupid like a fridge, it’s not always that it’s cracked,” she said. “The simple things in life are probably a little better.”
Samsung says it protects the fridge, and AI software updates are coming
In a statement emailed to USA Today in response to Matta’s video, Samsung said that the grocery tracker, called the Internal AI Vision, “using an internal camera, it recognizes 33 fresh foods placed in the fridge.”
“The owner’s manual shares guidance on where to properly hold items and the importance of waiting for recognition beeps to make the most of this feature and make them more seamless,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the company introduced AI technology in 2024. According to the statement, software updates, which will be available later this year, will expand awareness to 37 groceries.
Customers have also opted to turn off the AI Vision Inside feature at any time, the statement said.
Regarding some other features mentioned in the Matta video, Samsung said, “customers have the option to pause ice production at all times, either using refrigerator controls or using the Smartthings app.” The statement also pointed out that while stainless steel in refrigerators is fingerprint resistant, it can be “easy to clean using a clean, damp cloth.”
On the Samsung website, the refrigerator has a customer rating of 4.1/5. One customer said it was “the best purchase I’ve made in a long time.”
What is an AI refrigerator? How much does it cost?
According to the company’s website, Samsung’s custom-built line, including kitchens and laundry appliances, is intended to use AI to simplify daily tasks.
According to Samsung’s website, the fridge is selling for around $5,000 before the discount applies. Matta said she paid her about $2,500.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wmiroohosw
The refrigerator has a built-in touchscreen called a “Family Hub” that covers many of the machines’ technology. For example, according to Samsung, you can access apps such as YouTube and Ring, and play movies and TV shows.
There is also a SmartThings app that can be downloaded on your smartphone for remote access to the refrigerator.
Other so-called smartfridges on the market include GE and LG products that similarly provide WiFi or link apps to control the appliance. Each retailer costs around $4,000.
Melina Kahn is a national trending reporter for USA Today. She can be contacted at melina.khan@usatoday.com.