Anthropic gave Claude $100 to go shopping, here’s what the AI ended up buying

Global Pioneers SummitStoryboard18 Awards For CreativityThe VisionariesPower of PurposeShare the SpotlightDigital Entertainment SummitDNPAHomedigitalAnthropic gave Claude $100 to go shopping, here’s what the AI ended up buyingAnthropic gave Claude $100 to go shopping, here’s what the AI ended up buyingAnthropic’s AI experiment showed Claude independently handled 186 deals worth over $4,000, but results varied by model capability, with users largely unaware of pricing differences despite measurable gaps in transaction outcomes. By  Storyboard18| April 27, 2026, 11:16:34 ISTFollow UsAnthropic tests AI-led marketplace as Claude completes 186 deals without human approval (AI-generated image) ADVERTISEMENTAn experiment inside Anthropic has put a simple question to the test: can an AI handle your shopping better than you? The company’s chatbot Claude was given $100 per employee and full control to buy and sell items without any human approval.How the experiment workedThe internal project, named Project Deal, involved 69 employees. Each participant spent about 10 minutes explaining their preferences to Claude. After that, the AI agent independently listed items, negotiated with others, made counteroffers, and completed transactions. No approvals or check-ins were required during the process.At the end of the week, employees exchanged items in person based on deals finalised by the AI. The system logged 186 completed deals, more than 500 listings, and over $4,000 in total transact...