So, it looks like Instacart might be in a bit of hot water. Word on the street is that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is poking around, asking questions about their fancy AI-powered pricing tool. You know, the one that might be showing different folks different prices for the exact same groceries?

I mean, imagine this: You and your neighbor are both ordering the same stuff from the same store, at the same time, but your bill is noticeably higher. That's what this study suggested, with some users seeing prices hiked up by as much as 23 percent. That difference could seriously add up over a year.

Now, Instacart's saying that these price differences are down to retailers doing "limited, short-term and randomized tests." They're pinning it on their retail partners wanting to figure out what makes consumers tick. It's all thanks to that AI pricing tool, Eversight, they picked up a couple of years back.

They're also claiming that reports have "mischaracterized how pricing works" and insisting that prices aren't changing in real-time or based on supply and demand. Plus, they swear they're not using your personal info to jack up the prices. Still, the FTC seems to be taking a closer look. I suppose we'll have to wait and see how it all shakes out, but If I were them, I'd be preparing for a bit of a bumpy ride.