this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2025
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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 285 points 1 week ago (35 children)

I think it's generally a brilliant solution but there are a couple of problems here:

  1. The scanner seems to flag fucking everything and charge for minor damage where a human would probably flag it as wear.
  2. No one is allowed to correct the scanner:

Perturbed by the apparent mistake, the user tried to speak to employees and managers at the Hertz counter, but none were able to help, and all "pointed fingers at the 'AI scanner.'" They were told to contact customer support — but even that proved futile after representatives claimed they "can’t do anything."

Sounds to me like they're just trying to replace those employees. That's why they won't let them interfere.

[–] CyprianSceptre@feddit.uk 0 points 6 days ago (2 children)

You are spot on here. AI is great for sensitivity (noticing potential issues), but terrible for specivity (giving many false positives).

The issue is how AI is used, not the AI itself. They don't have a human in the checking process. They should use AI scanner to check the car. If it's fine, then you have saved the employee from manually checking, which is a time-consuming process and prone to error.

If the AI spots something, then get an employee to look at the issues highlighted. If it's just a water drop or other false positive, then it should be a one click 'ignore', and the customer goes on their way without charge. If it is genuine, then show the evidence to the customer and discuss charges in person. Company still saves time over a manual check and has much improved accuracy and evidence collection.

They are being greedy by trying to eliminate the employee altogether. This probably doesn't actually save any money, if anything it costs more in dealing with complaints, not to mention the loss of sales due to building a poor image.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 6 days ago

If it's fine, then you have saved the employee from manually checking

Exactly. Not only that but the human is more likely to overlook some things. It also creates a digital record of the complete condition.

Have the AI go over the vehicle, being insanely meticulous and then pass that info off to a human who verifies any flagged damages in a couple of seconds and makes decisions about what needs to be charged.

Combining the 2 improves efficiency and accuracy.

[–] phutatorius@lemmy.zip 0 points 5 days ago

AI is great for sensitivity (noticing potential issues), but terrible for specivity (giving many false positives).

AI is not uniqely prone to false positives; in this case, it's being used deliberately to produce them.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 138 points 1 week ago (13 children)

Sounds like they want to lose those customers.

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[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 104 points 1 week ago (4 children)

It's on brand. I pity the fool that doesn't know hertz is a fucked up rental agency

[–] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 85 points 1 week ago (7 children)

Isn't this the same company that called the police on legitimate customers after they messed up the paperwork?

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[–] pineapplelover@lemmy.dbzer0.com 89 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (13 children)

I will bring this up again like I did my last post concerning Hertz.

While I was in Albuquerque, NM getting off the Amtrak train, I reserved our rental car from their website and went to the nonexistent address with no phone number or anything. After half an hour we called another Hertz and they basically told us to piss off and call the location we booked the car. I have few brands that I boycott and now they will be Nestle products (and sub companies) and Hertz.

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