AI's Grift: Why Your PlayStation Costs More

Once upon a time, buying a gaming console was a straightforward affair. You'd save up, buy the latest model, and watch as the price inevitably fell. But in today's world, the PlayStation 5 has taken a different path. Launched at £449, it's now creeping towards £569.99 for the standard version and a whopping £789.99 for the Pro model. In case you're wondering, yes, that's a £90 hike by Sony, which seems like an even stronger argument for raising eyebrows.

Why the Price Surge?

Blame AI, among other things. Our digital overlords, the AI data centers, are demanding more computing power, RAM, and storage than ever before. Naturally, this surge in demand pushes up prices across the board, including your beloved gaming console.

Of course, AI isn't the sole culprit. Global instability, thanks to conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, coupled with rampant inflation, hasn't been kind to company profits. But let's face it, AI is the fall guy here because, frankly, it doesn't have to be this way. We could have a world where AI doesn't inflate prices, but that requires some accountability, a concept as foreign to tech giants as humility.

The Real Cost of Innovation

The press release said innovation. The 10-K said losses. So, why do we keep paying the price for so-called progress? Are we unwittingly funding AI's insatiable appetite for more power, while our wallets get lighter?

As consumers, we're left holding the bag, paying more for something that should be getting cheaper with age. It's an absurd scenario, reminiscent of a Shakespearean tragedy, only this time the villain is artificial intelligence, not a power-hungry monarch.

Why Should You Care?

Spare me the roadmap to a brighter tech future. The reality is that AI's influence is creeping into every aspect of life, and if gaming consoles are any indication, it's not doing us any favors. With AI's grip tightening, we're the ones funding its rise, even if it means sacrificing affordability in beloved pastimes like gaming.

So, what's the play here? Do we sit back and watch as AI continues to drive up prices and mess with our leisure time, or do we demand a little more transparency and accountability from the tech titans pulling the strings? I've seen enough. It's time to start asking the hard questions and demanding answers, before we're priced out of our own digital playgrounds.