Summary: AI sensor (likely robot) could screen hotel rooms for damages, somewhat similar to what some car rental companies are doing scanning returned cars. This could mean the final bill isn’t so final.
This could also lead to backlash.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/ai-audit-coming-for-hotel-room-checkout-travel-costs.html
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Summary statement: In a likely canary in a coal mine for other AI-consumer interfaces, an AI sensor (likely robot) could screen hotel rooms for damages, somewhat similar to what some car rental companies are doing scanning returned cars. This could mean the final bill isn’t so final. Basically upon check a robot with cameras and likely other sensors would check items for quality and quantity (perhaps # of towels?, etc..).
However, too much could also lead to consumer backlash, probably depending on what consumers consider:
– Too much surveillance in general
– Are actual charges “fair”; what is fair “wear and tear” vs “trashing” a place? What methods are used and their transparency? Is the bill being padded?
Example given is some hotels already deploy anti-smoking sensors which may give a false positive for hair spray
Do cleaning staff not already report damage? Does the robot also do the cleaning? Sounds like a solution without a problem.
> “It’s whether businesses should charge customers for every microscopic imperfection that algorithms can identify but human judgment might reasonably overlook as normal wear and tear,” he said.
Yep this is gonna be horrible for customer experience all over businesses not wanting to accept that things wear out with use and part of the service they’re selling involves them eating that cost.
> the dialogue between service agent and customer over costs will increasingly include a new term: “the machine says.”
Little Britain “computer says no” anyone? We’ve been blaming the computer for bad news for decades.
that’s why i Alway film my room when i enter and if i find something i notify the reception
We’re in a dystopia. We will see a wealth transfer from people to corporations that will make the last ten years feel like paradise.
What kind of places do you stay at on here?
I average 115 nights a year for the past 25 years. All over the world. I think i had 1 place in Indonesia send a maid to check the room at checkout.
But in 3000 nights ive never damaged a room once. Like wtf are you all doing in a hotel that they need to worry about this.