AI is everywhere: it has seeped into almost every aspect of modern culture to such a degree that it would be difficult to find a field unaffected by it.
AI is everywhere. It would be an understatement to say that this technology is changing how we work and how we look for information. In reality, AI has seeped into almost every aspect of modern culture to such a degree that it would be difficult to find a field unaffected by it. For some of us, it’s all a bit too much. The question ‘Does this really need AI’ is more than warranted in some cases.
However, it sometimes seems that we, as a society, simply cannot stop. And no wonder. AI's global market size was valued at USD 279.22 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,811.75 billion by 2030. Everyone wants a piece of this pie. Except that in some cases, the idea of how to take it is simply bonkers. Here are five examples.
Want to eat more healthily? AI tools can definitely help you with that. And we’re not talking about algorithms that help you count calories or formulate the best exercise plan. At this year’s CES, the biggest trade show dedicated to all things technology, Japanese company Kirin unveiled its innovative new product, the Electric Salt Spoon, that, with the help of AI, seasons your food not with old-fashioned salt, but by using electrical impulses.
Eating too much salt is not good for you. It causes high blood pressure and many other health problems. The Electric Salt Spoon was created as an attempt to help people consume less of it. This unique utensil-shaped device enhances the saltiness and umami flavors of low-sodium foods, providing a solution for healthier eating. It can give your food a salty taste without the downsides of added sodium.
It all works through, you’ve guessed it, some AI magic. The device is sending a weak electric current to your tongue, creating the illusion of saltiness. You can even adjust the saltiness level to your liking. If you’re interested, the Kirin Electric Salt Spoon is already available in Japan, where it costs 20,000 yen (~115 euros).
Want to be a better cook? AI is here to help you as well. You’ve probably already tried out ChatGPT-generated recipes, but now it's time to take it up a notch and give ‘the smartest kitchen appliance for cooking and seasoning’ a go. It’s called Spiccer, and it’s an AI-powered kitchen gadget that measures and dispenses spices.
The device resembles an oversized pepper mill with a small touchscreen on top. At the bottom, there’s a holder with 6 capsules filled with various spices (that can be easily swapped according to your liking). All you have to do is choose a recipe on the touchscreen, and the gadget will mix the spices to create a perfect blend.
The main selling point of Spiccer is that it learns your taste preferences and adjusts the recipes so that the spice levels meet your palate. In other words, no more over-seasoning or over-spicying your food. Instead of measuring out cumin or adjusting pepper yourself as some sort of a peasant, you can now rely on a $149 machine. The future is now!
Afraid of bugs? Scroll down to the next section… This one is for the fans of entomology, the study, observation, or photography of bugs. Bugs are really fascinating creatures. They’ve been around much longer than us (at least 450 million years longer), and will be here long after we are gone.
There are currently at least 1 million species of bugs out there, and only 80,000 of them have been described so far, so it’s basically humanly impossible to know them all. The good news is that Wonder Blocks and Petal is here to help you. This modular ‘nature cam’ is shaped like a flower and is specifically designed to attract bugs, butterflies, and bees, and then uses AI to identify and catalog them.
While this high-tech bug-watching tool is incredibly niche, the mission behind it is quite noble and endearing. Despite being quite annoying (or scary to some), bugs are an essential element of any healthy ecosystem. Sadly, many species are in decline, and some researchers warn that the world is facing an “insect biodiversity crisis”. Tools like Wonder Blocks and Petal can help us monitor the situation more effectively and possibly provide valuable insights on how to resolve this issue.
Both all-time classics, such as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, and modern hits, such as The Secret Life of Pets, emerged from the age-old human desire to understand what our pets are thinking and saying. And now, thanks to incredible advancements of AI, we can finally do it! Sort of…
Back in November, Traini launched its very first generative AI for pets. The app offers a bunch of services designed to help people understand and manage their dogs' behavior and emotional needs. However, its most tantalizing function by far is the GenAI dog-human language translator, which supposedly can decode subtle pet sounds and emotions and help you communicate with the dog better.
Of course, don’t expect too much. It’s by no means the translation device that you see in a movie UP! However, when used correctly, it can be surprisingly helpful. According to people who are actually using Traini, it can provide you with helpful information on what’s bothering your dog and how you can train them more effectively.
The legendary Bob Ross once said that he “really believes that if you practice enough, you could paint The Mona Lisa with a two-inch brush.” Painting is a great hobby for sure. It relaxes you, helps you practice patience, and offers a range of other psychological benefits. And now you don’t even need to have a teacher to start painting. All it takes is AI.
Davincified is an AI tool that allows you to upload your picture or any other illustration and turn it into a paint-by-numbers kit, which is then delivered to your home. Each kit comes with everything you need: a canvas, paints, and brushes. All you have to do is set up your workstation and start.
The kits are designed with beginners in mind, making the process easy from the start. Davincified was founded a year ago and is already getting some traction. If you’re out of ideas for someone’s birthday, this might be the one.
