A class-action lawsuit filed Monday in California names BP, Marathon Petroleum, 7-Eleven, Walmart, Albertsons, and Circle K as defendants, accusing the companies of using artificial intelligence to artificially inflate gasoline prices.
The complaint alleges that these major fuel retailers and refiners deployed algorithmic pricing tools to coordinate or maximize margins at the pump, rather than reflecting competitive market dynamics.
The legal action targets the intersection of retail fuel pricing and emerging AI technologies, raising questions about how automated pricing systems are regulated in the energy sector.
While the companies have not yet commented on the allegations, the suit highlights growing scrutiny over the use of machine learning in consumer-facing pricing models.
This development adds to a broader regulatory and public debate on AI transparency.
Recent reporting has noted that major technology and retail firms, including Amazon and Uber, are actively restricting internal AI use, signaling a shift in corporate governance around these tools.