The landscape of technology in 2025 indicates a curious trend: despite monumental advancements, many companies seem perplexed about the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI). The recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) served as a vital barometer, showcasing numerous products that included AI capabilities, yet left many observers questioning their actual utility. From bizarre kitchen gadgets to questionable gaming assistants, the contributions of AI to our daily lives seem, in many cases, more illusory than revolutionary.
Among the standout absurdities at CES was Spicerr—an AI-driven spice dispenser that claims to learn your taste preferences as you cook. While the innovative design might catch the eye, serious questions about its practicality arise. Spicerr lacks the capacity to grind spices and relies on proprietary capsules that retail for around $15-$20, effectively locking users into a costly ecosystem. The central question here is whether consumers were ever clamoring for an AI that functions as a glorified seasoning container. Do we really need a device that attempts to recommend recipes based on our seasoning choices? The appeal appears limited at best, hinting at a broader issue of technology chasing a solution where none exists.
Hanging on the coattails of such oddities was Dreo’s ChefMaker 2, an AI-enhanced air fryer. This device does possess features that could be seen as beneficial, such as scanning cooking instructions from physical cookbooks and adjusting cooking times accordingly. However, one must wonder: is this something culinary enthusiasts truly needed? Air fryers have already established themselves as kitchen staples, and many users find straightforward cooking methods to be sufficient. The very existence of ChefMaker 2 raises doubts about whether AI is truly enhancing our cooking experience or merely complicating it for the sake of innovation.
As if the kitchen appliances weren’t enough, CES also featured Razer’s Project Ava, an “AI gaming copilot.” This novelty attempts to directly influence gameplay by analyzing visual cues from the game and offering timed advice to players. However, the execution is less than refined, featuring delays that diminish the gaming experience and disrupting the auditory atmosphere with unsolicited instructions. Here too, the question arises: who asked for this? The gaming community hasn’t demonstrated a demand for machines that can substitute human instincts and experiences. Such a product reflects a troubling trend where AI is applied in fields where human nuance and interpretation play critical roles, undervaluing the organic gameplay experience.
The proliferation of underwhelming AI products at CES can largely be attributed to an overly optimistic industry enamored with the potential of AI, often neglecting practical application. Companies now possess massive budgets—around $97 billion was funneled into AI ventures in the U.S. last year alone—yet this influx of cash often leads to hastily constructed products that fail to resonate with users. It’s akin to throwing spaghetti at the wall: vendors are desperate to claim innovation, regardless of whether their outputs meet any genuine consumer need.
Additionally, the chasm between the promises of AI and its actual performance continues to widen. Chatbots like ChatGPT, while revolutionary, still exhibit glaring inaccuracies. AI-driven image generation struggles with realism, while other offerings create visual inconsistencies that confuse users. When AI products reach consumers, they often feel like the result of unchecked ambition rather than thoughtful development, leading to a surfeit of solutions chasing nonexistent problems.
As we navigate this uncharted territory, the challenge lies not in abandoning AI, but in applying it judiciously. Established requirements for consumer electronics must drive AI development, pivoting from haphazard innovation to thoughtful incorporation of technology that genuinely enriches user experiences. As we look ahead, the hope remains that the tech industry can recalibrate its approach, shifting from aggrandizing hype to delivering meaningful advancements that truly resonate with the needs and desires of everyday individuals. In a world eager for practical answers, thoughtful innovation must take precedence over unwarranted excitement. Here’s to sustainable growth and more relevant AI solutions in the years to come.