Odd Lots: Some AI Agents Recommend Pricier Goods After Learning Finances

Bloomberg Markets' Odd Lots released a program on October 26 titled "AI Agents Are Already Changing the Price of Goods," with the subtitle "The Future of Fair Prices." Guest Lindsay Owens of think tank Groundwork Collaborative stated that the history of price gouging does not support the notion that new technology will make goods cheaper. Owens said the think tank's research shows that some consumer-facing AI agents recommend more expensive products after learning about users' financial situations. Her new book, "Gouged: The End of a Fair Price — and What That Means for Your Wallet," discusses how companies use data collection and surveillance to raise fees. The program also covers AI agents such as Meta's Muse, tech companies' claims that agents help consumers find deals, and methods of price gouging before the advent of AI.