AI ‘might be peacekeeper’ as households argue over chores

Professional matchmaker, author and life coach Paul C Brunson believes that artificial intelligence can help manage household tasks that often lead to arguments. The co-host of ‘Celebs Go Dating’ and ‘Married at First Sight UK’ suggests that common issues such as leaving lights on can be resolved with AI tech, which allows you to control your home devices from your phone and even view a 3D map of your house.

There are also fridges that can keep track of ‘use by dates’, eliminating disputes over spoiled food, and technology that can handle chores like vacuuming. This insight comes after a study of 2,000 people living together found that they typically have two three-minute disagreements per day, adding up to 45 minutes per week or 39 hours per year – the equivalent of watching 26 football matches.

The research was commissioned for the launch of Samsung UK’s new campaign: ‘You and AI. As One’, which showcases their AI-enabled products working together to bring balance to modern family life by assisting with everyday chores.

The main causes of family stress include not turning off lights (28%), neglecting chores (24%), and leaving things on the floor (23%). However, despite these potential sources of tension, only 8% said they have used AI to help with tasks around the home.

A quarter of Brits believe that Artificial Intelligence could be the solution to their household disputes, helping to reduce disagreements at home.

The top tech advancements thought to ease tensions include lights that turn off automatically (19%), devices controlling energy usage (17%), and fridges alerting about expiring food (15%).

Paul C Brunson suggests that the increase in AI-enabled technology should be more widely accepted, leading to happier households as a result.

He stated: “Household arguments are a normal part of everyday life. But I think we can all agree that it’d be best to reduce or avoid them where possible. Open and honest communication is key, and can be facilitated by regular family meetings to express our feelings. But the rise in AI tech could be revolutionary in ending disagreements – at the minute, it’s such an underutilised tool.”

According to the poll, 87% agreed their squabbles are trivial, while 65% believed the occasional heated debate was necessary to clear the air. Over a quarter (28%) blamed their partner for conflicts, while 26% confessed they were the main instigators.

Furthermore, 36% proudly identified themselves as the peacekeeper of the house, with only 17% attributing this role to their partner, as per the OnePoll figures.

Paul C Brunson chimed in: “AI is not only giving us back valuable time in our day, but essentially giving us peace of mind and less tension in the household.”

Deborah Honig, from Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, commented: “AI-powered products are designed to work in harmony with you and your family, lending a helping hand when you need it most.”

“It’s like having an extra pair of hands to vacuum the floor after a morning of wonderfully messy play. The pace of modern life is often fast and furious.”

PAUL C BRUNSON’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR REDUCING FAMILY ROWS.

1. Being open and having family meetings allows people to address any recurring issues. Family meetings also give you time to figure out solutions together. Make sure everyone is heard, as that’s critical in ensuring buy-in moving forward.
2. Taking the guesswork out of responsibility makes it impossible for there to be any confusion. Things like chore charts are a great visual cue and encourage people to do their fair share. Rotating chores also helps avoid boredom.
3. Get to know each other better. For example, by cooking dinner together the main chef of the house can teach some of their skills to other family members. It can also help show them why a pile of dirty dishes in the sink or a dishwasher full of clean utensils can make a normally fun activity into something more frustrating.
4. Addressing family disputes in a neutral environment can help to lessen the emotional charge and maintain an objective, respectful dialogue. This strategy can be particularly beneficial if you’re experiencing ongoing conflict with a particular relative.
5. If you struggle with verbal communication, don’t worry. Consider penning a letter to your family member. This approach gives you the opportunity to articulate your feelings and thoughts without the stress of a direct confrontation.