This analysis of the Prosper Insights & Analytics May 2025 consumer survey shows a slight increase in economic confidence, indicating easing concerns about inflation. Fewer consumers reported their standard of livingdecreasing, and awareness of price hikes declined across various categories, especially gasoline.While overall spending remained steady, consumers were less focused on only necessary or practical purchases, suggesting a shift towards discretionary spending as summer approaches. Membership in Amazon Prime and Walmart+ continued to grow, highlighting the ongoing appeal of cost-conscious convenience.

Unlocking AI Value with Data in 2025.

Gary Drenik, a writer for Forbes and co-founder of Prosper Insights & Analytics, discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving in 2025 beyond its foundational infrastructure. The article highlights a significant shift towards two new critical layers: the application layer, which focuses on integrating AI into specific business processes and industries with a move towards pre-built solutions, and the data infrastructure layer, emphasizing the crucial role of high-quality data in fueling effective AI. The article also notes the substantial increase in venture funding for AI companies, particularly those in sectors impacted by AI, and points to the rise of agentic AI, which aims to automate complex end-to-end workflows, all underscored by the critical importance of reliable data quality for successful AI implementation.

AI's Fork In The Road, Big Data Or High Quality Data
This Forbes article, authored by Gary Drenik, discusses the critical decision point for artificial intelligence, presenting a "fork in the road" between relying on vast amounts of data versus prioritizing high-quality, relevant data. The author highlights the challenges of using large datasets, including data quality issues, data becoming unavailable, and limitations in the reasoning abilities of large language models. Instead, the piece advocates for the advantages of utilizing high-quality, privacy-compliant data sources, such as zero-party consumer surveys from Prosper Insights & Analytics. Examples are provided demonstrating how this approach enables accurate forecasting for retail sales, economic indicators like CPI, and successful stock portfolio management, leading to improved outcomes and sustainability in AI projects.

The "April 2025 Consumer Snapshot" from Prosper Insights & Analytics, based on a large monthly survey, indicates a decline in consumer confidence to its lowest point in over a year amidst economic pressures. While awareness of price increases has lessened across categories, consumers are still actively seeking value through store brands and sales at retailers like Walmart and Target. Consequently, spending intentions have softened, with reduced plans for major purchases such as homes and cars, though home improvement plans saw an increase. Despite fluctuating gas prices influencing some spending adjustments, overall consumer happiness remains stable. The data suggests a cautious consumer prioritizing value, leading to recommendations for retailers to emphasize promotions and highlighting potential opportunities for investors in essential goods and home improvement sectors.

AI and the Next 25 Years of Culture & Tech. This Forbes briefing covers a Forbes article by Gary Drenik from Prosper Insights & Analytics which anticipates significant cultural and technological shifts over the next 25 years, largely driven by generative AI. The article highhlights how Gen AI is expected to alleviate digital fatigue by enabling more human-centered and sustainable experiences across various sectors. Agentic AI could revolutionize customer loyalty and commerce through personalized, conversational interactions, while AI and biodesign will likely transform supply chains towards circularity. Furthermore, the analysis suggests AI will evolve into an active collaborator in areas like healthcare and decision-making, and the boundaries between physical and digital realms will increasingly blur, leading to more seamless and transparent user experiences.

AI, Customers, and Amazon Price TrendsGary Drenik, a Forbes writer and co-founder of Prosper Insights & Analytics, provides weekly AI and innovation briefings. One article highlights Photoroom's profitability through its customer-focused AI image tools, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs in the generative AI landscape. Another article examines rising prices on Amazon in 2024, attributing this to increased Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees impacting third-party sellers, with Amazon Prime members noticing these increases more than the average U.S. adult and adjusting their online shopping habits.

AI Guardrails & Customer Service Insights

The Forbes articles by Gary Drenik, a writer and co-founder of Prosper Insights & Analytics, for the week ending March 30th 2025 address two key areas at the intersection of technology and business. One article examines the growing need for AI governance and the development of AI guardrails in the face of unclear regulations and consumer concerns about AI safety and reliability. The other piece explores customer preferences in service interactions, highlighting the surprising continued dominance of voice communication over text-based chatbots, even among younger generations, particularly due to advancements in voice AI. Both articles utilize consumer data and expert opinions to support their arguments about navigating technological advancements and meeting evolving consumer expectations.

AI in Commerce: Balancing Personalization and Automation

Gary Drenik's Forbes articles from the week ending March 23, 2025 explore the increasing integration of artificial intelligence in retail, particularly within social commerce and on platforms like Amazon. One article discusses the paradox of personalization, where consumers desire tailored experiences but harbor concerns about data privacy and AI overuse. It emphasizes the need for transparency and a balance between AI-driven efficiency and human oversight to build consumer trust. The other article highlights the rapid adoption of AI by Amazon and Walmart shoppers, as well as the growing trend of brands utilizing "agentic AI" to automate advertising and enhance commerce operations. Both pieces underscore the importance of a strategic and balanced approach to AI implementation to optimize both customer experience and business outcomes in the evolving retail landscape.

Gary Drenik, a Forbes writer and co-founder of Prosper Insights & Analytics, provides insights into AI's impact on business in 2025 based on his recent articles. One article discusses how AI predicts increasing supply chain disruptions across various industries due to geopolitical instability, climate issues, and trade policy shifts. The other article explores the growing role of Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) in transforming enterprises by automating problem resolution and improving IT infrastructure. Both articles underscore the increasing importance of AI in navigating complex business challenges and achieving operational resilience in the coming year.

To read the complete articles, follow Gary Drenikon Forbes.com

Prosper Insights & Analytics' March 2025 Consumer Snapshot reveals a slight dip in consumer confidence compared to the previous month, though it remains stable year-over-year. Despite persistent inflationary concerns leading to increased awareness of higher prices for necessities, consumer spending shows a marginal increase. Consumers are actively employing cost-saving strategies like seeking discounts and opting for store brands, particularly at Walmart and Target. While plans for home improvement and travel are up, auto purchase intentions have declined, indicating cautious spending on big-ticket items. Overall, the report highlights a value-driven consumer mindset influenced by fluctuating gas prices and standard-of-living concerns.