Woman’s AI fridge rant goes viral, claims isn’t intelligent after all
A woman claims her Samsung refrigerator with AI technology isn’t so intelligent after all.
Last year when April Matta was looking for a new refrigerator, a line of appliances that boasted innovative features using artificial intelligence caught her eye.
The mother of three thought the Samsung Bespoke Kitchen appliances could help her family stay better organized with functions like a digital calendar and grocery tracking, she told USA TODAY.
But now that she owns the Bespoke fridge, Matta said the technology hasn’t been exactly what she expected — and her experience is going viral on TikTok.
“I wasted my money so you don’t have to,” she says in the clip.
On the other hand, Samsung stands by the product, saying that with proper use and care, the features are effective.
Smart fridge confuses husband’s head for an avocado
Matta shared her experience to TikTok, where her video of the fridge has been viewed over 200,000 times as of June 10.
In the video, she said the fridge’s main AI feature, which is intended to track grocery items as they are placed inside, hasn’t worked as she had hoped — for example, thinking her husband’s head is an avocado and a bottle of ketchup is meat.
She also said in the video that she hasn’t been satisfied with the freezer’s ice tray — she says it lacks a sensor to stop making ice — and the outside of the fridge has showed fingerprints and smudging. However, there are a few features Matta likes, including the fridge door’s automatic opening function and its connection to her doorbell camera.
Matta told USA TODAY that she decided to share the video to debunk the “fancy bells and whistles” that come with the appliance.
“Even something as stupid as a fridge, it’s not always all it’s cracked up to be,” she said. “The simple things in life are probably a little bit better.”
Samsung defends fridge, says AI software update is coming
In an emailed statement to USA TODAY in response to Matta’s video, Samsung said the grocery tracker, which is called AI Vision Inside, “uses an internal camera to recognize 33 fresh foods as they’re placed in the refrigerator.”
“The owner’s manual shares guidance on where to properly hold an item and the importance of waiting for a recognition beep, in order to best utilize this feature and make home cooking more seamless,” the statement said in part.
The statement said the company introduced the AI technology in 2024. A software update, which will be available later this year, will expands the recognition to 37 food items, according to the statement.
Customers also have the choice to turn off the AI Vision Inside feature at any time, the statement said.
As for some other features mentioned in Matta’s video, Samsung said “customers always have the option to pause ice production using the fridge controls, or with the SmartThings app.” The statement also noted that the fridge’s stainless steel is fingerprint-resistant, but “can be easily cleaned using a clean, damp cloth.”
On Samsung’s website, the fridge has an overall customer rating of 4.1/5. One customer said it was “the best purchase I have made in a long time.”
What is an AI refrigerator? How much does it cost?
Samsung’s Bespoke line, which includes kitchen and laundry appliances, are intended to simplify daily tasks using AI, according to the company’s website.
According to Samsung’s website, the fridge retails for around $5,000 before any discounts are applied. Matta said she paid about $2,500 for hers.
The refrigerator has a built in touchscreen called the “Family Hub,” which encompasses a lot of the machine’s technology. For example, it has access to apps like YouTube and Ring and can play movies or TV shows, according to Samsung.
There is also a SmartThings app available to download on smartphone for remote access to the fridge.
Other so-called smart fridges on the market include products from GE and LG that similarly offer WiFi or linked apps to control the appliances — each retail for around $4,000.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
