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Your Big Mac might cost more if McDonald's AI thinks people nearby can afford it

38 points · 51 comments · bundie

  1. Levitating · · focus · HN ↗
    Has always been the case.
    1. brianwawok · · focus · HN ↗
      Getting AI boost though. Like watch traffic patterns and sporting events, crank it as much as they can!

      Please ban all on demand pricing government. Limit it to 1 price a day or something

      1. verdverm · · focus · HN ↗
        Seattle leading the way

        <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;wilson.seattle.gov&#x2F;2026&#x2F;09&#x2F;23&#x2F;seattle-becomes-first-city-to-stop-grocery-stores-from-using-ai-based-personal-data-to-set-prices&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;wilson.seattle.gov&#x2F;2026&#x2F;09&#x2F;23&#x2F;seattle-becomes-first-...

      2. HDThoreaun · · focus · HN ↗
        Price discrimination on monopoly goods doesnt seem so bad to me. A lot of people who arent willing to pay so much would likely be able to get stuff that otherwise would be limited to the wealthy. Drug prices should definitely have price discrimination as far as Im concerned.
        1. mysterydip · · focus · HN ↗
          For some skeptical reason, I only see this raising prices when demand increases, not lowering it beyond a base “regular” amount.
          1. valleyer · · focus · HN ↗
            That just means the &quot;regular&quot; amount is higher than you think.
            1. ImPostingOnHN · · focus · HN ↗
              Well I guess we&#x27;ll find out if McDonald&#x27;s bottleneck is indeed hamburger availability, and if they&#x27;ll be selling their limited hamburger supply for less profit by charging some people less than before, rather than gouging customers.
        2. john_strinlai · · focus · HN ↗
          it will be $x + $y, never $x - $y.
      3. doublerabbit · · focus · HN ↗
        Why stop there, why not pipe all the towns water through the store and serve it at a premium on hot days?

        Let Ai decide if you need a drink.

        1. thesmtsolver2 · · focus · HN ↗
          Water is a basic need. McDonald’s and Uber are not basic needs.
          1. tavavex · · focus · HN ↗
            Should consumer protections only apply to basic needs? What happens when your grocery store starts dynamically pricing food and water? What happens when all of them do it?
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