Comment by SpicyLemonZest
6 hours ago
Why doesn’t it work? It’s not obvious to me that a company with straightforward pricing would necessarily outcompete the algorithmic price discrimination one. They’d get somewhat more business from comparison shoppers who the algorithm feels can pay a lot, but lose business from people who the algorithm feels can pay less, and make less profit on everyone else.
Because then it’s not distinguishable from price differences that already exist. Where are the damages? Who is being harmed? As a consumer you can always overpay for stuff. Amazon could start using its knowledge of spending habits TODAY to do this, without AI.
I don't really understand the question. The harm is that many of us would prefer not to face algorithmic price discrimination.
I agree that many kinds of abusive price discrimination are possible without AI, and that it's hard to distinguish them from noncontroversial practices like coupons. But why does that mean we can't or shouldn't regulate the AI-enabled version?
I guess my point is regulating “algorithmic price discrimination” is orthogonal to “regulating AI”. Why do something indirectly that could more easily be done directly?