
Consumer Reports: AI spending jumps 116% as agents push ads, commerce
Consumer Reports found that people are spending a lot more money - 116% more - on AI tools in 2025. Smart glasses, special browsers, and chat shopping helpers are popping up everywhere, making it easier for companies to show ads and charge fees for each use. Google and other big tech firms now use bots to help people shop automatically, while ads and special offers slip right into these tools. As using AI becomes more popular, companies are making less money from simple subscriptions and more from ads and per-use charges. Consumer Reports warns that while all this new tech feels convenient, it can make costs add up fast without people noticing.













