researchers conducted experimental surveys with more than 1,000 adults in the U.S. to evaluate the relationship between AI disclosure and consumer behavior
The findings consistently showed products described as using artificial intelligence were less popular
“When AI is mentioned, it tends to lower emotional trust, which in turn decreases purchase intentions,”
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“AI” went automatically to the list of so-called features that will make me drop a product like it’s on fire:
❌ Uses “artificial intelligence”
❌ Needs an internet connection (barring actual computers)
❌ Always-on microphone/camera
❌ Phones home to manufacturer’s or third party servers
❌ You buy the hardware, we lease you the software
❌ Fire hazard
❌ Toxicity and/or radiation
❌ Exposed wiring
❌ “Spring surprise” chocolate variant
❌ Actual killer bot
Computers don’t generay “need” an Internet connection.
Technically, no. I might argue that the vast majority of computers made in the last 30 years come equipped with network capabilities and are, in fact, connected to the internet.
Generally, if you’re using a well-known, commercial operating system, your computer will “need” to connect to the internet so transmit your delicious personal and usage data to the OS’ home servers for definitely not invasive purposes.
The list above, however, is not of general or technical usage, but of my own pet peeves. Also, it’s half joking 😉
Funny, radiation and killer bot are 2 of my top features.
Is that you, Doctor Doom?
is your house just an oven and a light switch?
every netsec admin i know lives like that and is DISGUSTED at how many “smart” appliances i have
I have a fully furnished kitchen and apartment, several well-stocked bookcases and more light switches than I care to use. You will be shocked to learn that I own not a single smart appliance beyond my phone and computer. And I’m not even a netsec admin 🤷
If a product says “AI” on it, and its not talking about NPCs in a videogame, i assume the product is shitty and took 30x the energy to produce than a human-made product of the same quality
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That sounds like a rational reaction.
There’s a lot of hand waving when companies talk about AI safety. I would be more likely pay for a product with some AI if marketing promote its effectiveness without highlighting AI, than if they mentioned AI with vague assurance about safety.
I would be more worried about that fact that the AI enabled device likely needs an internet connection to function. That means the manufacturer can take away features or brick the device whenever they want to.
That’s true. “AI-enabled” is usually a hint of over engineering and unnecessary collection of data.
AI-enabled is the new “smart” bullshit. I wonder what the next buzzword will be.
Mentioning AI in marketing signals:
Also:
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Well that’s true. I was looking at a Zojirushi rice cooker
One of its selling point is: ‘Advanced fuzzy logic technology with AI (Artificial Intelligence) “learns” and adjusts the cooking cycle to get perfect results’
I immediately said no thanks and looked for another model without that, and probably cheaper. It’s a rice cooker FFS!
But zojirushi is a legitimately good brand and I’d apply an exception for them unless they became enshittified
I know that’s why I’m staying with that brand. I am just looking for another model, I probably don’t need all the fuss features of the top of the line model.
Based on the description the so-called “AI” simply adjusts time based on user feedback. That would be hilarious if not so sad as a marketing device.
So after it’s done you can adjust it’s cooking time, but instead of a cook time knob that you turn they try to pretend it’s AI?
Pretty much. But instead of adjusting it like “cook it for less/more time”, you say “it’s raw/mushy”. Or at least that what I think, based on the product info, but I might be wrong.
And… yeah, it’s all pretend. Just like “smart” some years ago.
It probably has the twin benefits of needing a crummy smartphone app (that spies on you) and an internet connection though. Knobs lack these delights.
What a wonderful user experience! No rice is fine if connection is down, right?
How does it determine better results? oO
That’s the problem with most marketing. Unspecific, raising questions rather than answering them. Being vague and only positive-formulated rather than presenting information.
I mean, they wrote “learn” with quotation marks so… 🤷🏻♂️
Well at least that’s more honest than many many “researchers”.
I swear there was a dishwasher or something in either Sims 1 or 2 that damn near this exact description.
For what it’s worth, they’ve had a “Neuro Fuzzy” rice cooker (https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/nszcc) for years—ours is at least 10 years old at this point. And, I would bet this is a trivial extension of that—using some decision tables supplemented with heat feedback—with only the addition of a user feedback mechanism, rather than any, true “AI”.
Just because it’s something we already think is obvious, doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing that actual studies are being done to prove it!
True dat.
I have seen several "AI Bible app"s advertised. I don’t even want to ask what sort of concoction they’re making
They’re trying to praise the Machine God, little do they know the Omnissiah considers abominable intelligence a deadly sin.