AI and the Smart home - a match made in most people’s idea of hell
I spend an inordinate amount of time defending AI against skeptics. I’m not even completely sure why I do it, I just feel compelled to stand up for the nascent technology. I believe it’s because the latest generation of AI products achieve that wonderful trick that is unique only to technology; it feels like magic. The modern world is entirely beset by mature and boring tech that to see something truly novel and wondrous like AI break through the malaise reminds me why this subject is so near to my heart. It may turn out to be nothing but a parlour trick, but until we peak behind the curtain and see for sure, I am going to count myself amongst the believers.
One place I can see AI taking a firm route, and providing a meaningful benefit is in the home. I recently purchased a house, and before that process entirely bankrupted me, I also purchased a fair amount of smart home tech to go with it. The problem is, in its current capacity, the ‘smart’ in smart home leaves a great deal to be desired. Yes, you can turn on light switches and thermostats will heat your home from your phone, but thats about it. If you ever try to ask the assistants a question they pause, whir, and ultimately fail spectacularly. Compare this, for instance with what its like to have a conversation with ChatGPT, and the two systems feel millennia apart.
There is a huge opportunity for a company to bring the power of modern AI systems to bear within the smart home, especially with regards to what can be thought of as ‘conversational mechanics’. Conversation-like instructions and interactions in the context of the smart home could be the final domino to fall preceding widespread adoption, creating a truly massive market that goes way beyond the predominantly early-adopters/tech enthusiasts who make up the majority of smart home customers.
When ‘normal’ people interact with a smart home, the experience is typified by confusion, exasperation and frustration. Configuring the solutions often involves a degree in computer science, and the actual experience of instructing the devices is akin to the bewildering, nonsensical and fruitless exchanges one might have with an infant. If smart home implementation and calibration can be transposed to a more conversational format, the likelihood for a true smart home revolution increases exponentially.
Incidentally, I asked ChatGPT to create an image to go along with the theme of this article and the results suggest we may need to wait a little longer before this revolution begins… note well; the bizarre handle-born robot, the cat riding a robovac and the coffee table placed directly in the way of the door. Moreover we’ll do our best to ignore the ominous portent of ‘DOOM’ written on the giant smart phone that appears to be the centre-piece of this awful living space…
