A Bengaluru-based technology professional has sparked debate online after revealing that he installed anartificial intelligence-powered monitoring system in his kitchen to track his domestic cook's activities.
The professional, identified as Pankaj Tanwar, said he set up the device after suspecting that items stored in his refrigerator were going missing. According to him, the AI-enabled system confirmed his suspicions.
Tanwar shared the incident on social media platform X, explaining that the device—jokingly referred to as his 'AI roommate'—was designed to monitor kitchen activity while the cook was at work.
The system reportedly captured footage showing the cook taking apples, blueberries and a banana from the refrigerator on multiple occasions.
Tanwar said the system sent alerts whenever items were removed from the fridge, enabling him to review the recorded footage.
Within a week of installing the setup, he claimed the device flagged two separate incidents of fruit being taken, after which he decided to dismiss the cook.
According to screenshots shared by Tanwar, the system functions as a surveillance camera integrated with an AI chatbot that analyses video footage and generates reports.
The tool not only recorded items allegedly taken from the refrigerator but also analysed other aspects of the cook's work routine.
It reportedly tracked:
In one instance described in the report, the AI tool noted that the cook opened the refrigerator shortly after entering the kitchen and removed two apples before beginning to cook.
Tanwar also requested a weekly summary from the system, which listed multiple refrigerator visits and identified missing fruit items.
The AI report also evaluated cleanliness patterns in the kitchen.
While it noted that the kitchen counter was wiped daily, it flagged that certain areas—such as the space behind the stove—had not been cleaned for several days.
The incident has triggered discussion online about the growing use of AI-driven surveillance in private homes, particularly when monitoring domestic workers.
While some social media users praised the use of technology for accountability, others raised concerns about privacy and ethical boundaries when using AI to observe workers in domestic spaces.
The episode highlights how rapidly evolving AI-powered monitoring tools are beginning to influence everyday household management and workplace relationships.