Phoebe Gates, the daughter of billionaire philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, has ventured into the world of technology with the launch of Phia, an AI-powered shopping app designed to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. According to a report by The New York Times, Phoebe Gates has co-founded Phia with her former roommate Sophia Kianni.

The app, available on iOS and as a browser extension for Google Chrome, aims to simplify the online shopping experience by comparing prices of clothing, shoes, and accessories with new and used listings. Once installed, Phia adds a "Should I Buy This?" button to product pages, which, when clicked, scours the web to provide users with a comprehensive price comparison.

Phia's AI technology analyzes current market trends and compares them against a vast database of over 250 million used goods from popular marketplaces like The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, ThredUp, StockX, eBay, and Poshmark. This feature enables users to make more informed purchasing decisions, potentially saving them money in the process.

In a demonstration of the app's capabilities, Phoebe Gates used Phia to compare prices for a Louis Vuitton handbag. The app suggested that the bag was "worth the price" and provided links to secondhand options from Fashionphile and eBay, starting at $1,453. Additionally, Phia offered similar but cheaper second-hand bag options from across the internet.

While there are other apps, such as Capital One Shopping, Rakuten, and Honey, that offer price comparison and coupon code features, Phia differentiates itself by focusing on the fashion industry and emphasizing the benefits of thrifting. This unique approach could appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and those looking to reduce their fashion expenditure.

The launch of Phia marks an interesting foray into the world of technology for Phoebe Gates, who has largely kept a low public profile. As the daughter of one of the world's most influential tech moguls, Phoebe's venture into the startup space is likely to generate significant interest and attention.

As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, Phia's AI-powered price comparison feature could become a valuable tool for consumers. With its focus on fashion and sustainability, Phia has the potential to make a significant impact in the industry and beyond.

Only time will tell how Phia will fare in the competitive world of shopping apps, but with its innovative approach and Phoebe Gates' influential backing, it's certainly an app to watch in the coming months.