How many members of Generation Z does it take to change a light bulb? Apparently, none, as a recent survey indicates that one in five young adults lack the knowledge to complete this basic home task. This finding has sparked discussions about a seemingly lazy and entitled generation.

Yet, as I found myself on the couch yet again trying to adjust the mood lighting in my living room through a mobile app instead of using the conventional switch, I realized the issue might not lie with the young people, but rather with the technology itself.

My background as a tech reporter has led me to appreciate the many conveniences that modern technology provides. Our smartphones, which function as powerful mini-computers, enable us to manage banking, shopping, navigation, language translation, photography, and media streaming, underscoring the advancements in our daily lives.

However, the realm of “smart homes” has not lived up to expectations.

Coincidentally, on the same day the light bulb survey was released, Sir Keir Starmer discussed how artificial intelligence could potentially add an impressive £47 billion to the UK economy. The press release excitedly claimed that AI is now a vital part of the nation’s technological backbone, using dramatic metaphors to capture our imagination.

Will AI significantly alter the landscape of work, healthcare, and governmental services? Probably. Yet, for the average person, the first experience with AI tends to be within the context of their homes while trying to operate everyday gadgets like tumble dryers. It’s important to note that smart home technology, which has been around for more than a decade, represents one of the earliest examples of AI applied in our domestic environments.

Unfortunately, aside from a few exceptions, much of this technology is far from effective. My home has served as a testing ground for various smart devices over the years. For instance, a smart fridge mistakenly identified cheese versus vegetables; a robotic lawnmower wreaked havoc on my garden; and while it was indeed possible to operate my washing machine via an app, it still couldn’t manage the more challenging task of retrieving dirty laundry from the teens’ rooms.

The recent CES event in Las Vegas showcased the latest gadgets from top manufacturers. But have we truly seen improvements?

Samsung proudly announced a “bespoke AI laundry combo” that merges a washer and dryer into a single appliance. However, I can’t help but recall that washer-dryer combos have been around since the 1990s. Is this really ground-breaking?

LG introduced its “more human” smart home devices, powered by what they call “affectionate intelligence.” Leading this initiative is a small robot named Q9, which is about as disruptive as an overly eager chihuahua. During a staged demonstration, Q9 claimed to have adjusted the temperature in a child’s bedroom in response to the child’s cough—a seemingly elaborate way of describing a smart thermostat’s functions.

Similarly, Bosch revealed their Revol “multi-modal AI infant care solution,” which uses a mix of sensors and AI to monitor vital signs for infants. While this may sound innovative, it essentially serves as a high-tech crib that can rock a baby to sleep if it detects crying.

Paul Thomas of Bosch elaborated on their transformation from hardware manufacturers to data-centric businesses, underscoring that manufacturers are more focused on collecting user data than simply selling products.

The interplay between hardware companies wanting to gather consumer data and software firms aiming to sell devices is evident. This strategy is designed to entrap customers within a singular ecosystem of interconnected devices, where communication occurs seamlessly but at the cost of personal data privacy.

Take my own experience with Hive, which is part of Centrica. Their digital thermostat operates flawlessly, but the app for controlling specific lights is less reliable, particularly because I’ve invested in proprietary bulbs that are significantly more expensive than conventional ones and require intricate setup. So, instead of enjoying seamless lighting, I find myself sitting under a flickering lamp.

Until major electronics companies can demonstrate that their “smart” solutions genuinely enhance our lifestyles, skepticism about the advantages of AI over traditional methods will likely persist.

Harry Wallop is a consumer journalist and broadcaster. Follow him on Twitter @hwallop