An AI-powered pricing experiment illustrates the need for consumer protection
HARRISBURG − March 4, 2026 – A report released in December revealed his employ of Instacart Pricing experiments using artificial intelligence allowing grocery retailers to charge shoppers different prices for identical goods purchased at the same time. The AP House Majority Policy Committee and the Senate Democratic Policy Committee have convened a joint hearing on this topic and dynamic pricing for vital goods.
“Families across Pennsylvania are exhausted,” said Sen. Nick Pisciottano, who co-hosted the hearing and represents part of Allegheny County. “My bill would protect working families from unpredictable costs associated with AI-powered prices for essential goods. Companies should not shift their profits onto the shoulders of working families who are already struggling in a difficult economic climate.”
You can find a livestream recording of the hearing Here. Pisciottano presented his bill Prohibition of dynamic pricing of basic goodsor SB 1205 to introduce protections against the employ of dynamic pricing on vital goods.
“When working families count every dollar, unpredictable prices are not innovation — they are instability,” said Rep. Mary Isaacson, who co-hosted the hearing and represents parts of Philadelphia. “AI-driven pricing puts consumers and working families at an extreme disadvantage, all in the name of corporate greed.”
During Wednesday’s joint hearing, testimony was heard from, among others, Consumer Reports“investigative reporter Derek Kravitzwho is the author of A December report on Instacart’s AI-powered pricing experiments designed to inflate grocery bills and George Slover, senior competition adviser at the Center for Democracy and Technology.
“Hotels and airlines adopted dynamic pricing years ago, but using dynamic pricing on essential items sets a dangerous precedent,” said House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who represents part of Erie County. “It weakens competitive pressures because consumers can no longer easily compare prices.”
Days after an investigation by Consumer Reports, Instacart announced it was halting an artificial intelligence experiment that priced identical products for different customers as much as 23% higher.
“Today’s hearing underscored the importance of consumer protection in the digital age, as our witnesses emphasized,” said Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Sen. Nick Miller, who represents parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties. “While there may be benefits to dynamic pricing, many people see it primarily as higher or inconsistent costs, especially for essential services they use every day. When companies use dynamic pricing responsibly, it can help consumers, but aggressive use too often puts ordinary people at a disadvantage. Thank you to my colleagues in the House and Senate for attending today’s hearing and using it to continue the fight to lower costs and make life more affordable for families across the Commonwealth.”
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