Could AI eventually make things cheaper?

Could AI eventually make things cheaper?

https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/06/26/could-ai-eventually-make-things-cheaper

Publish Date: 2026-06-26 18:33:00

Source Domain: www.marketplace.org

Here is a summary of the article in an unordered list with key points:

– Economists have forecasted a probable increase in prices due to AI over the next year.
– Microsoft and Apple recently announced price hikes for Xbox consoles and select MacBooks/iPads, driven by a surge in demand for memory and storage for AI data centers.
– Apple highlighted that this is an unprecedented increase in component prices resulting from rapid expansion.
– Despite the current rise in prices, there is a long-term expectation that AI will boost productivity and potentially ease inflation.
– According to Alan Detmeister, once AI aids in increasing productivity, such as lawyers managing more cases, it might lead to lower prices which can benefit consumers.
– The optimistic scenario relies on the widespread adoption of AI tools and willingness of professionals to adjust prices accordingly.
– Gil Luria mentions that AI adoption has been slow due to imperfect results when initially used.
– Margaret O’Mara draws a parallel with the slower than anticipated impact of the digital age in the late 1990s, suggesting that AI could similarly take a significant time to realize full transformative potential.

This summary captures the essential points from the article while respecting all copyright and policy guidelines.