Why all AI Features Aren’t Actually AI
Almost every new gadget or app lately claims to have AI built in. That term has become so overused that even basic features are now called AI-powered. It sounds like they are futuristic, but most of it is clever marketing. I have definitely seen it with things like AI-powered cameras and others that just don’t make sense!
Why companies use AI a lot is because they want their products to sound smarter and newer. The many so-called AI features are usually just automated responses, algorithms, or filters. A few examples are like the one I mentioned, such as an AI camera, or others like AI wallpaper and AI cleaning modes. When all of this branding happens, it makes me feel like they are just overusing the word AI to make their products sound cool.
Real AI systems learn from data, adapt over time, and sometimes they even generate new content. That is all different from other tools that use pre-programmed instructions or rules. The confusion between automation and AI leads to misunderstanding. I think that if something is AI, it should be called AI and something that is not should not be, to make for less confusion and better understanding of how something works.
Many consumers think they are getting advanced intelligence, but they are sometimes getting just simple shortcuts. The overuse of the label might lead people to distrust actual AI advances if they are good.
There is no regulation for stopping companies from using the terms when the features aren't actually AI, but the AI hype boosts the interest and sales, so that’s why most of the companies do it, even when the tech doesn’t live up to the promise. According to a 2025 report by Gartner, nearly 40% of AI-powered products in consumer tech use no machine learning or adaptive systems at all.
AI is still transforming industries, but honestly, labeling stuff as AI will not make innovation stronger. Maybe we, as consumers, should ask companies to name features better, so we can understand what they are actually using.
Have you spotted any fake AI features recently, and what were they? How can you tell the difference between a real and fake AI feature? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Gartner Image: CNET