The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has long been a stage for groundbreaking technological advancements, but the 2025 edition seems to have unveiled a troubling trend within the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of pioneering solutions that genuinely address consumer needs, many products showcased at this year’s event—including AI-embedded kitchen appliances and gaming tools—appear to be misguided experiments rather than thoughtful innovations.
At CES 2025, the phenomenon of AI being embedded in irrelevant consumer goods was glaringly obvious. For instance, the Spicerr, an “intelligent” spice dispenser, attempts to revolutionize the way we season our food by learning preferences as we cook. While the idea of a culinary assistant sounds appealing, its practical application raises eyebrows. This device doesn’t even grind spices or allow for refillable capsules, forcing consumers to buy proprietary replacements at $15-$20 price points. One has to wonder: is a meal-suggesting spice dispenser really necessary in a world where traditional cooking techniques and well-loved recipes suffice?
Moreover, the Dreo ChefMaker 2—a so-called AI-powered air fryer—promises enhancements like scanning cookbooks for recipes. Yet, the question remains: are air fryer enthusiasts truly clamoring for an appliance that can do math for them? For a product that ostensibly aims to simplify cooking, it fails to recognize the practicality and urgency that most users would expect from a kitchen gadget. Perhaps, this so-called innovation simply aligns more closely with the desires of its developers than those of everyday consumers.
As if the culinary contraptions weren’t enough, CES 2025 introduced Project Ava by Razer, which markets itself as an “AI gaming copilot.” This product essentially interferes with the gaming experience by capturing screen images to offer suggestions mid-game. It’s hard to ascertain who among avid gamers is actually crying out for this type of assistance. The features themselves come across as more distracting than helpful, particularly due to a noticeable delay. Ava instills a level of interruption that detracts, rather than enhances, the immersive experience that gaming promotes.
Moreover, the ethical implications of using a system trained on existing gaming guides—yet failing to give credit where it’s due—raise further questions about the industry’s evolving relationship with intellectual property. Is the ambition to apply AI to gaming merely an exercise in novelty, devoid of genuine value?
The prevalent thread connecting these outlandish AI products at CES appears to be an overwhelming hype culture that has taken hold within the industry. In a year where AI companies accumulated a staggering $97 billion in funding, it’s no surprise that numerous vendors are determined to leverage the allure of artificial intelligence—even if it means releasing products that offer questionable utility. This “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks” approach has led to a plethora of innovations that, rather than being groundbreaking, come across as frivolous.
These products illustrate a fundamental challenge within the realm of AI; identifying practical, beneficial use cases has proven to be a daunting task. Companies often overpromise and underdeliver, a trend illustrated by persistent shortcomings in popular AI systems. For example, ChatGPT occasionally fails to provide accurate responses, while image generation tools are plagued by inaccuracies—leading to bizarre outcomes in visual content.
As we look forward to what the future holds beyond CES 2025, it is imperative that the tech industry shifts its focus from creating extravagant, AI-infused gadgets that lack purpose to developing solutions that tangibly improve our everyday lives. Suppose we are to harness the true potential of artificial intelligence. In that case, we must prioritize meaningful advancements that address genuine consumer needs rather than succumbing to sessional gimmicks.
While the excitement surrounding AI is palpable, the products unveiled at CES 2025 suggest that the industry needs to recalibrate its approach. Innovation must be rooted in real-life applications to make a tangible impact, as the promise of AI has yet to be fulfilled in a way that resonates with consumers. Let’s hope that as we progress into the future, we prioritize substance over surface-level novelty.