Conscious Commerce: Building an AI Economy That Works for People

(Cross-posted here: https://innovation.consumerreports.org/conscious-commerce-building-an-ai-economy-that-works-for-people/) A quiet switch just flipped in the economy. For the first time, large language models can do consumers’ shopping for them. You can now ask ChatGPT to recommend a product and—thanks to a new Instant Checkout feature—buy it right in the conversation, without ever leaving OpenAI’s website. Etsy and Shopify stores are […]

Posted at 9pm on 11/10/25 | no comments; | Filed Under: Agents, AI, Consumer Reports, Opinion | read on

Building Consumer Agency

(cross-posted here: https://innovation.consumerreports.org/building-consumer-agency/) Agentic AI has profound implications for every part of society. A world in which everyone has access to a personal AI tutor means big changes to education. A world in which everyone has access to a personal medical advisor means big changes to healthcare. And so on. Given our work at Consumer Reports, […]

Posted at 9pm on 2/20/25 | no comments; | Filed Under: Agents, AI, Consumer Reports, R&D, Uncategorized | read on

About

Hi, I’m Ben — an optimist working at the intersection of new technology, rights, and public policy.

I’m a creative technologist who specializes in strategy, fundraising, and building high-performing teams. I’m also an avid collector of dusty sci-fi paperbacks.

Currently building pro-consumer AI at Consumer Reports.