Barnes proposes real rules to prevent artificial intelligence from gouging WI consumers

Source Domain: upnorthnewswi.com

Most people using the internet have heard of algorithms and likely assume that nothing can be done about the mysterious and complex formulas that determine what you see in your social media feeds and what prices you pay when shopping online, but former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes says he can make Wisconsin a leader in online consumer protection if he’s elected governor.

Barnes, one of more than a half-dozen Democratic candidates competing in the Aug. 11 primary, released details of a plan to make it illegal for companies operating in Wisconsin to use artificial intelligence (AI) computing tools to charge different prices to different consumers based on data that’s been scraped off the internet—things like browsing histories or even personal and financial information—otherwise known as surveillance pricing.

“Did you ever see a commercial for a service or a product and they’ll go down the rules and they’ll say ‘except in certain states’?” Barnes said to UpNorthNews. “We have to be one of those ‘certain states’ that stands up and fights for people, fights for consumers, and protects the people of Wisconsin from these sorts of scams.”

The Barnes plan would also apply to health insurers who would not be able to deny coverage to patients based on AI technology, and he wants the state to go after social media companies that enable scam artists to use AI features to defraud their customers.

“It is very clear that the system is rigged,” Barnes said, “and artificial intelligence is making that even easier. We will hold these platforms accountable for taking advantage of people across Wisconsin.”

The plan also calls for companies to provide full pricing upfront, without hidden fees that can be tacked on later.

The Biden administration aggressively tackled hidden fees in areas ranging from airlines to event ticket sales and credit card fees. The Trump administration is being equally aggressive in…

Source