When "AI-Powered" Really Means a Rebranded Rip-Off

In the fast-paced world of technology, the key to success seems to be building a better mousetrap, or at least convincing people that you have. If you lack groundbreaking ideas, fear not! Simply slap an "AI-powered" label on your existing device and watch the world take notice.

Singing the praises of the newest tech is a common strategy in the retail game. You don't need an expensive trip to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to know that every quirky gadget out there is now trying to squeeze in the magic of AI.

Trends come and go. First, everything was digital (and glowed in the dark). Then, it went online (if your modem cooperated). Next, items with an "e" in front were all the rage, until Steve Jobs replaced it with an "i". Soon after, everything became "connected," "smart," "voice-activated," and "virtual."

Every year, a new buzzword becomes the prefix for otherwise ordinary products. We've all fallen for it at some point. I once got myself what was claimed to be a smart TV, yet it still insists on showing Mrs. Brown's Boys. How smart can it really be?

As the AI revolution gains momentum, it has become a must-have at any event. No conference is complete without AI sessions, and the Consumer Electronics Show is a paradise for sales reps on the lookout for gullible buyers.

For years, consumer journalists have returned from this electronic wonderland, raving about smart fridges, connected washing machines, and vacuum cleaners so clever they might as well have Mensa memberships.

One highlight of this year's show is an anti-snoring pillow that uses AI to analyze your nighttime noises and adjusts itself to nudge your head into a different position. It claims to distinguish between your snores and a roaring Kawasaki outside your window. While I'm not sure if this qualifies as true AI, the idea is intriguing—until you see the $1,000 price tag. For that amount, I'd stick to my genuinely intelligent wife, who nudges me when the TV gets too loud. Apparently, that feature comes standard with all models.

But fear not; there are plenty of alternatives, like an AI-powered mirror. Imagine a mirror that boosts your confidence by making you think you look like Channing Tatum. Sadly, this one merely analyzes your skin and suggests beauty products to buy.

There's also an AI vacuum cleaner that identifies different floor surfaces, an AI cat flap to prevent your feline friend from bringing in unwanted gifts, and an AI baby monitor claiming to translate infant sounds. An AI dog collar and bowl supposedly understand feeding requirements, while an AI door lock operates on face recognition. An AI grill even claims to know the perfect time to cook meat—the list goes on. I was particularly intrigued by a pair of pricey binoculars that can identify birds, but two things stand out.

Firstly, much of this isn't truly "AI" as we know it today; it's just a trendy label. The term is so overused that even America's Federal Trade Commission has cautioned against "baseless" claims. Secondly, many of these technologies duplicate tasks you can already do yourself. Most of these devices will likely fail because either the technology isn't necessary or the cost outweighs the benefits. This brings us to the third point: this is classic hucksterism, a way to part people from their money.

The intelligence may be artificial, but the genuine gullibility of those who fall for it is what's truly remarkable.

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