AI hallucinations are making entitled customers even worse

A server in New York City says she has encountered diners who push back on her allergen warnings by citing ChatGPT, according to an account published by The Verge.

The server, identified as Madison, asked that her last name be withheld to protect her identity. She said she greets every table by asking about each diner's allergies, and that there have lately been some close calls.

"Sometimes people will tell me they have a shellfish allergy, and I'll come back, and they won't ask me any questions," Madison said. "And they'll order a fish dish that comes with a broth that is made of shellfish."

When she tells guests a dish contains an allergen, Madison said, she has had guests push back, saying ChatGPT disagrees.

"They just want to talk to ChatGPT," she said. "You're allergic to shellfish, and ChatGPT says there's no shellfish."

The account describes a situation in which diners rely on a chatbot's output when a restaurant worker tells them a dish contains an allergen. The account concerns reports from one server about interactions with customers and does not include information about the frequency of such disputes or their outcomes. Additional reporting is available in the full story at The Verge.