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https://boingboing.net/2026/07/30/ai-assistant-named-for-long-dead-pharmacy-founder-mutters-incomprehensibly-and-demands-that-you-talk-to-him.html>
“A Vermont pharmacy chain's new AI assistant led not to the efficiency
improvements promised but to "delays, incorrect information and privacy
concerns." The AI, named "Burt" after the chain's long-dead founder, is said to
suggest the wrong refills on sensitive medications, among other alarming
problems. Customers "have no idea they agreed to it."
Kinney Drugs' AI assistant for prescription refills was implemented earlier
this summer and
VTDigger reports that customers hate it. One told them her
phone rings nearly every day and she hears an "incomprehensible mutter." If she
expresses approval she gets drugs she doesn't need: "I've got four bottles of
something that I take twice a week sitting here."
Delays have grown between physicians ordering drugs and the pharmacy
processing them. The system has been unable to locate longtime customer
accounts, has ordered incorrect dosages and has failed to notify customers
when refills were ready for pickup. And these inaccuracies are raising
privacy concerns amongst customers.
Their mounting frustrations toward the AI is leading some customers to leave
the pharmacy entirely, they said, and forcing others to continue using a
system they distrust due to a lack of pharmaceutical options in rural areas.
It's as if the new technology has inadvertantly summoned the confused and
disembodied spirit of Burt Kinney himself, invoked like MMAcevedo on every
call, handing random drugs out like candy and occasionally trying to describe
the inchoate horrors of the afterlife.”
Via Joyce Donahue.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
