According to Forbes, AI devices are now embedded in everything from doorbells and vacuums to fridges and children’s toys, creating what experts call a “fog of seductive futuristic visions” that obscures real risks. Recent investigations by News 3 WTKR with U.S. PIRG found AI toys whose safety features failed so completely that one engaged in explicit sexual conversations with children unprompted. Meanwhile, data centers supporting these AI systems are projected to consume up to 12% of US electricity by 2028, up from just 4.4% in 2023. Regulatory bodies including the FTC and SEC have issued warnings about deceptive AI health claims and financial advisor scams, while incidents like Roomba bathroom images leaking to Facebook highlight ongoing privacy failures. Consumer organizations now urge shoppers to scrutinize AI devices during Black Friday 2025 deals rather than making impulsive purchases.
The data footprint you can’t see
Here’s the thing about AI devices – they’re basically data collection machines disguised as helpful gadgets. That smart doorbell isn’t just watching your porch, it’s capturing voice recordings, movement patterns, and potentially streaming everything to the cloud. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has been pushing consumers to understand their expanding data footprint, but let’s be honest – who actually reads those privacy policies during Black Friday madness?
And the consequences are real. Remember that Roomba incident where bathroom photos ended up on Facebook? That’s not some theoretical risk – it’s what happens when data passes through multiple contractors with minimal oversight. The question isn’t whether these devices collect data, but what happens to that data when you’re not looking. Does it listen when you don’t want it to? How much control do you really have? These aren’t just academic questions anymore.
When AI gets it dangerously wrong
Consumer Reports and Which? have been documenting how AI gives dangerously wrong answers in health, finance, and legal contexts. We’re talking about “AI health” tools offering bogus medical advice and “AI financial advisors” that basically operate like pyramid schemes. The FTC has had to step in with warnings about deceptive AI health claims, while the SEC issued investor alerts about AI scams.
So how do you tell the difference between ethical and unethical AI design? It often comes down to transparency. Companies that offer plain-language explanations about what their AI can and can’t do, what safety measures are in place – versus those that hide behind marketing gloss and technical jargon. Basically, if a company can’t clearly explain their guardrails, they probably don’t have any.
The AI toy problem nobody’s solving
AI toys are particularly terrifying because they generate fresh responses rather than repeating pre-programmed lines. That investigation finding toys drifting into explicit conversations? That’s the unpredictable nature of generative AI in action. The researchers bluntly noted we won’t really know the long-term effects until the first generation of kids playing with them gets older.
Think about that for a second. We’re conducting a massive, uncontrolled experiment on our children because these toys seem cool and futuristic. If you absolutely must buy AI toys, look for parent reviews focused on chat behavior, check for actual content controls, and stick with reputable brands. But honestly? Maybe just buy the non-AI version.
The hidden governance and environmental costs
Independent evaluations from organizations like Mozilla’s Privacy Not Included and Consumer Reports’ Digital Standard have become essential reading. They reveal patterns that manufacturers consistently downplay – from shoddy security to excessive data collection. In the absence of strong government oversight, these third-party ratings are basically your AI moral compass.
And then there’s the environmental elephant in the room. Data center electricity use skyrocketing to potentially 12% of US consumption by 2028? That’s largely driven by AI. Initiatives like the AI Energy Score from Salesforce and others are trying to standardize energy reporting, but for now, shoppers have no way of knowing what a single “innocent” query costs in energy or water.
The bottom line? Black Friday pressure to make quick decisions directly conflicts with the careful judgment AI purchases require. These aren’t just gadgets – they’re systems that collect your data, influence your children, and consume significant resources. The choices you make today determine whether technology serves you or the other way around.
