The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has long served as the launchpad for innovative technologies, showcasing products that promise to make our lives easier and more efficient. However, the 2025 CES revealed a concerning trend: a growing disconnect between actual consumer needs and the overzealous marketing of artificial intelligence (AI) in products that may not require it. From smart kitchen gadgets to gaming assistants, it appeared that companies are more focused on slapping the AI label on products than addressing practical consumer demands. This article explores the questionable applications of AI demonstrated at CES 2025 and raises important questions about the future direction of the technology.
The presence of AI in kitchen appliances seemed particularly perplexing. The launch of Spicerr, a touchscreen-equipped spice dispenser that claims to learn user preferences, raised eyebrows among attendees. A machine designed to suggest recipes based on user taste profiles sounds appealing in theory, but in practice, it sparks an inevitable question: Is there genuine demand for such a product? Cooking is a creative process shaped by intuition and personal taste, and the intervention of a smart dispenser may feel more like a gimmick than something genuinely helpful.
Moreover, Spicerr uses proprietary capsules, which can’t be refilled, potentially alienating users who prefer sustainability in their kitchen. Is it sensible to rely on a device that suggests recipes while leaving fundamental cooking functions, such as grinding spices, to the user? The answer appears to be a resounding no. Instead of enhancing the cooking experience, products like Spicerr may confuse it further and offer little in terms of substantial culinary assistance.
Another standout was the ChefMaker 2 air fryer, poised as an “AI-powered” solution for home cooking. While the air fryer concept itself is far from revolutionary, the addition of AI-driven features like page-scanning from cookbooks raises important questions about functionality vs. novelty. Does anyone truly yearn for a cooking appliance that requires you to hold up a cookbook? This situation exemplifies an industry struggling to justify the use of AI in areas where traditional methods are both simpler and effective.
Similarly, Razer’s Project Ava, advertised as an “AI gaming copilot,” proved to be a curious invention. The software essentially watches gameplay, capturing stills and offering real-time advice, but the utility of such an application is questionable. For one, it introduces a delay in gameplay and disrupts the immersive experience that gamers crave. More significantly, it raises ethical concerns surrounding content creators in the gaming community, as the AI seems to borrow knowledge without acknowledging its sources.
These perplexing product choices at CES 2025 appear symptomatic of a broader trend within the tech industry: the unchecked exuberance surrounding AI development. The staggering $97 billion raised by AI companies in the U.S. last year begs the question—how much of that investment translates into valuable products? Manufacturers seem eager to experiment with AI applications, sometimes prioritizing flashy technology over genuine practical benefits.
This rush to deploy AI also exposes the growing landscape of technological limitations. Current AI tools frequently stumble; whether that’s ChatGPT generating inaccurate information, environmental contradictions in image generators, or instances of AI characters merging in videos, the consensus is clear—AI is not infallible. This inconsistency in AI performance suggests that many new projects produced under this inflated hype are likely to under-deliver, failing to meet consumer expectations.
As we move forward, the tech industry stands at a critical juncture. The challenge will not lie solely in the development of new technologies but in understanding their applicability to real-world problems. Instead of promoting devices that lean heavily on AI for dubious reasons, companies ought to leverage the capabilities of the technology to achieve substantial improvements in areas such as healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.
The products showcased at CES 2025 serve as a reminder that, while AI offers tremendous potential, it is crucial to approach its integration mindfully. Companies must step back and truly evaluate consumer needs rather than blindly following the hype cycle. The future of AI should be shaped not only by its capabilities but by its ability to create lasting value in our day-to-day lives. Here’s hoping that next year’s CES brings the thoughtful innovation that consumers truly deserve.