# AI receptionist Sophie gave a columnist false car pickup times at a mechanic shop

> Original title: I treated Sophie as if she were human. The very next day she betrayed me | Hugh Riminton

- Source: The Guardian · AI
- Published: 2026-11-02T23:00:31.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/d2o2yypq4e3lp0lvgdzoc6r8w
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/nov/03/sophie-ai-chatbot-betrayed-me

## Summary

Guardian columnist Hugh Riminton says Sophie, an AI employee answering the phone at XYZ Mechanics, gave him a pickup time of Saturday at noon, then said Wednesday when he arrived to find the gate locked. Mechanic Mike says the car would be ready Tuesday, and Riminton says Sophie put him through to a human when asked.