Companies have become obsessed with artificial intelligence (AI) and other fancy technologies that may not actually improve our lives. Two examples are a $400 electric toothbrush marketed as having AI, and Amazon's cashier-less grocery stores, which have been admitted as failures. While AI does have helpful uses, it is also plagued with false promises that waste time, energy, and money. We need to ask why these AI technologies exist, why they are worth our time and money, and why they are better than simpler alternatives. Amazon's cashier-less stores are a prime example of flashy technology that has proven to be cumbersome and costly, while simpler technologies often yield more significant improvements.

For example, Amazon's inventory tracking software and worker scheduling technology have made deliveries faster and improved grocery shopping. On the other hand, companies like Oral-B are taking cool-sounding technology to an extreme with their toothbrushes claiming to have AI features. However, these claims may be misleading or exaggerated. It is important to approach AI hype with skepticism and ask critical questions before jumping on board.