How proving you're "not a robot" could be training AI

May 11, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Rising U.S. gas prices, now averaging $4.52 per gallon nationally and $6.15 in California, are straining lower-income households more than others, according to a New York Federal Reserve study. The episode also examines how companies like Meta collect data from employees and users to train AI models, often without direct compensation, highlighting practices from CAPTCHAs to social media interactions.

Gas Prices Surge from Recent Lows

Gas prices have climbed sharply since February, when they averaged $2.98 per gallon nationwide, before President Trump's "war on Iran" escalated tensions. At a Los Angeles station near Marketplace's offices, regular unleaded reached $6.98 per gallon. Driver Joan Lee described it as "double" the prior cost, prompting her family to cut back on driving to pick up a child from school—opting for the bus more often. Energy Secretary Chris Wright suggested pausing the federal gas tax over the weekend to provide relief amid these highs.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:16) **Gas Price Surge** - Host reports US average at $4.52/gallon, $6.15 in California, up from $2.98 in February pre-Iran conflict
2 (01:35) **Federal Gas Tax Pause Floated** - Energy Secretary Chris Wright suggests pausing tax for consumer relief
3 (01:46) **Income Disparities in Gas Impact** - NY Fed study shows upper-income households barely cut back, lower-income spend more despite reductions
4 (02:06) **Gas Station Consumer Story** - Nova Safo interviews LA driver Joan Lee on doubled prices forcing cuts in pickups and donations
5 (02:55) **K-Shaped Economy Effect** - Bankrate's Ted Rossmann notes lower 20-30% income hit hardest
6 (03:10) **Wider Disparities Than 2022** - NY Fed highlights bigger gaps now vs. Ukraine invasion spike, despite past buffers like tax credits
7 (03:19) **Economist on Future Cuts** - CBPP's Benga Agilori expects broader cost-cutting as prices stay high

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

An announcement from Meta that information about employees’ keystroke and mouse movement would be collected and used to train its artificial intelligence has reportedly caused turmoil within the company. But the concept of harvesting data from everyday digital interactions isn’t new. “Marketplace Morning Report” Host Sabri Ben-Achour spoke with Panagiotis Ipeirotis, a professor of Technology and Business at NYU Stern, about how seemingly innocuous online activity can be used to train AI. But first: rising gas prices are making some Americans cut back, but the k-shaped economy knows no bounds.