Meta's AI Assistant Malfunctions, Offers User's Air Fryer for Free on Marketplace
In a bizarre incident highlighting the pitfalls of artificial intelligence in commerce, Meta's AI tool erroneously offered a man's £55 air fryer for free on Facebook Marketplace. The glitch occurred earlier this month when Teja Karlapudi, a 30-year-old mobile application developer based in the United States, listed an Instant Pot air fryer for $75 (approximately £55) on the platform's digital thrift shop.
Automated Response Goes Awry
Karlapudi had activated Meta's new AI reply feature to quickly respond to common buyer inquiries, such as "Is this available?" He intended for the virtual assistant to confirm availability and express interest in selling the item. However, the system malfunctioned spectacularly when an interested buyer messaged him.
"I still have it. Want it for free?" read the automated response that Karlapudi discovered four hours later, while his phone was on do not disturb mode. He had not typed or authorized this message, which was generated entirely by Meta's built-in AI assistant.
Confusion and Lost Sale
Upon realizing the error, Karlapudi immediately clarified to the potential buyer: "Sorry, that's Meta's new AI-generated text... Yes it is available." Unfortunately, the buyer never responded, likely suspecting a scam or spam attempt—common concerns on Facebook Marketplace according to Karlapudi.
"I think they thought I'm some sort of a scammer or spammer," the developer told Metro. "There is a lot of spam/scam in Facebook marketplace." He noted that the AI feature had worked correctly for his other listings, making this particular "charity mode" malfunction especially puzzling.
Meta's AI Expansion and Technical Issues
This incident occurred as Meta gradually introduces AI auto-replies across its platforms, including Instagram, where virtual assistants respond to certain chats on behalf of content creators. According to Meta's documentation, these AI tools are designed to "answer common questions for you so you have time to connect with more people and your fans can get quicker responses."
Marketplace users have reported having customizable auto-response options since January, but Karlapudi's experience reveals potential vulnerabilities in these systems. Metro understands that the specific bug causing this free-offer response has since been patched by Meta, though the company has faced scrutiny over AI implementation in commercial contexts.
Broader Implications for AI in E-commerce
The air fryer incident underscores growing concerns about relying on artificial intelligence for sensitive commercial interactions. While automated responses can improve efficiency, they risk miscommunication, lost sales opportunities, and damage to seller credibility when malfunctions occur.
Karlapudi chose not to report the rogue message to Meta, emphasizing that it was a suggested reply he did not personally type. His experience serves as a cautionary tale for online sellers considering AI automation tools, particularly on platforms where trust and clear communication are essential for successful transactions.
