From answering the doorbell via a smartphone to keeping an eye on pets, controlling home security has never been easier – but privacy concerns are stalling what should be a ubiquitous industry. So where are people drawing the line between convenient security and a potential privacy risk?

More and more Americans are harnessing connected devices as household guards, secretaries, and entertainers. But as privacy fears mount and constant notifications add to digital fatigue, tech risks wearing out its welcome in the home. How can gadgets be better integrated into domestic settings?

Americans love their kitchen gadgets, spending $9 billion on them in 2016. With the ability to do everything from steam to blend to knead in one machine, the Thermomix TM5 is looking to change how people cook. And with a device sold every 26 seconds, it’s quickly winning the hearts of home chefs.

As drinking at home grows in popularity, people are looking for premium ways to consume bevvies and booze. Bartesian’s home cocktail capsules are looking to mix up the cocktail industry with easy-to-make luxury beverages, catering to increasing demand for low-key socializing at home.

The mainstreaming of AI – and the deeper entrenchment of related technologies in our social and emotional lives – is setting a new precedent for how people relate to non-human sources of intelligence. While automation on a consumer level has typically focused on specific tasks like replying to emails or budgeting, it’s now swiftly expanding to a more dynamic range of applications such as later life care, home systems, dating, and even replacing interns in the workplace. With 40% of desk-based employees in six countries reporting feeling burnt out, AI’s ability to shortcut stressful and mundane tasks in more expansive ways is increasingly welcome. On one hand, these developments have sparked fear and discomfort that human labour – and eventually more complex cognitive endeavours like decision-making or even creativity – could soon be displaced. On the other hand, advocates believe that automating arduous and thankless tasks could help people prioritise more important matters that require greater human attention. As the AI arms race continues to rage on, a conflicting sense of both excitement and trepidation surrounding the technology remains. In 2022, 45% of Americans said that they were equally concerned and excited about the increased use of AI in daily life, but as advancements accrue, a new hesitation is emerging. Globally, 27% of people consider it likely that a rogue AI programme will cause problems around the world in 2023. Amid such unease, it’s no surprise that ethics are at the forefront of tech-related conversations. While people want to outsource elements of their daily lives, missteps surrounding privacy and safety from major companies are now squarely in the spotlight. Businesses can no longer afford to ignore the elephant in the room as people demand greater clarity and accountability on data protection, and governments globally are hurrying to roll out new regulations that better protect users and social structures from malicious actors. While the developments within automated technology and generative AI are groundbreaking, multiple instances demonstrate how they’re still prone to friction and not as infallible as people think they are. From ChatGPT making basic errors to the faltering hype around self-driving cars, it’s clear that human supervision will continue to be vital – at least for the foreseeable future. Ultimately, even as people continue to demand higher levels of convenience, they’re constantly demarcating the boundaries of automation in everyday life.