It feels like AI is infiltrating everything these days. Not so much in the “it’s actually taking over our lives” kind of way. But in the “why does everything need AI features?” way. It feels like it’s inescapable these days, which is why LG TV users put up such a fuss when Microsoft Copilot showed up on their TVs.
As we know, TVs already spy on you if you’re not mindful of shutting off the features that allow them to. They can track your movements and smart TVs will log your personal data and viewing preferences to share with third-party vendors. I’m not saying that watching TV is extremely dangerous, as your data is shared so many ways in today’s world. But you should be cognizant of the features of your TV before you’re using it.
That being said, smart TVs using AI features are becoming the norm, rather than an exception. It’s no longer going to be considered a novelty. Because even if enough people complain about being forced to deal with AI features on their TVs, there’s too much money involved for them not to be pushed forward. Plus, some of them you might actually like.
LG users had enough
They ultimately got what they wanted
Back in the middle of December, LG TV users noticed that a Microsoft Copilot app had appeared within webOS. Many people didn’t care for that, as they felt it was forced upon them rather than on there by their choice. But when they tried to delete it from their TVs, they realized they were unable to.
This, rightfully, made many people frustrated because of the negative connotations that AI has. Any time people are forced to do something, there is likely to be push back against it. This is especially true when it comes to new technology.
LG wasn’t the only manufacturer that added Copilot to its TVs as Samsung also announced it would be doing so at CES 2025. LG users felt betrayed because the release of the app wasn’t announced by the manufacturer. It wasn’t highlighted in an update. It just appeared one day and users weren’t able to remove it.
Eventually, users complained enough and caused enough backlash that LG backtracked and announced it would make it able to removed. While LG’s stance on it was that it was a shortcut to make users’ experience simpler, it was seen as a forced switch to AI. Unfortunately for TV users though, AI features aren’t going away any time soon.
AI is being invested in at an astounding rate
It’s going to continue to move forward
It’s impossible to notice all the ways that AI is incorporated into tech these days. You’re using Amazon and the AI chatbot Rufus pops up to help you. You go to buy a new cellphone and the latest options have built-in AI to help you search for different things. AI is everywhere these days, and it’s hard to avoid it.
But there’s a good reason for that and that’s because the major hyperscaler companies, the cloud computing giants we all know (Google Cloud Platforms, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Meta, Apple, Alibaba, Oracle) are making massive investments in the space. Goldman Sachs Research estimates that hyperscalers will commit $527B to AI investments in 2026.
To go along with the cloud services of the hyperscalers, all kinds of consumer tech companies are leaning into AI features to make their products seem updated and ready for the future. You don’t want to look like you’re being left behind, as people will forget about you if you aren’t showing signs of being relevant going forward. This is true for smart home devices, headphones, phones, and more.
While you may not think about AI all the time, the big tech companies are, and they are trying to keep you wanting to use them. So if there’s something TV manufacturers can do to catch your eye, you better believe it will be announced and then added as a feature.
AI features you can find in smart TVs
There are plenty already in use
If you have a newer smart TV, you may have noticed some of the features that your TV has added. Maybe you purchased your new TV because it had some fancy features. One of the best ones that I love on my TV is adaptive sound controls. The TV takes stock of the environment in the room where it is and automatically adjusts the sound levels. This was especially good when my daughter was a baby and we’d try and watch something during her youngest days. The TV would recognize a cry and immediately turn louder.
…all kinds of consumer tech companies are leaning into AI features to make their products seem updated and ready for the future.
Your TV will not only take stock of the sound in the room, but it can also take into consideration the lighting as well. If the lighting is bright, the TV can adjust the brightness and make it darker. There are internal tweaks to your audio and video that the powerful processors in the TV can do, automatically adjusting the scene for clarity. AI upscaling is an incredibly popular feature for smart TVs to have. This takes lower resolution images and eliminates blur and sharpens the picture to make it closer to 4K. More video features include adjusting color and contrast while adding detail to the frames to make them look smoother and more lifelike. The TV will do this by analyzing the scene in real-time and making adjustments.
You’ve probably noticed that the streaming services that you use will recommend shows for you. This is all about advanced algorithms that help design and customize the platform for you. AI is going to continue to be at the forefront of developers’ minds because it actually does make watching TV better. As long as the features are being used by the TV to enhance what is coming out of it, I think it makes sense to invest.
Do we need every TV to have an AI chatbot app that lets you ask questions or fill out prompts while typing with your remote or sending voice commands? Probably not. But if technology is being used to improve the TV watching experience, I’m excited to see what the future holds.
