Expert suggests AI may also help stop household arguments and maintain the peace at residence

AI could help defuse family flare ups caused by decision fatigue an expert suggests.

Dr Jack Lewis, a neuroscientist and author, claims smart home devices could make low-level everyday decisions that are often the root of disagreements, helping keep the peace. He explains that humans only have the capacity to make a finite number of high quality decisions per day before experiencing ‘decision burn out’.

As such, allowing AI-enabled devices to take control of micro-choices in the morning can help avoid this, reducing stress and the conflicts that come with it. For example, smart fridges could decide what meal options are available from its contents and make sure everyone leaves the house on time with on screen calendars and reminders.

Meanwhile advanced washing machines can select the best cycle for your laundry based on what’s inside, and smart watches can help family members get enough sleep, exercise and hydration – avoiding frayed tempers. There are even smart pet feeders that handle timing and portions automatically, freeing brains from another routine choice.

His insight follows research of 2,000 adults that revealed it’s the small decisions that give us the biggest headaches – from what to pack in lunchboxes to what route to take for work.

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Commenting on the findings of Samsung UK’s Daily Decision Census, Dr Jack Lewis said: “AI-powered home appliances can take control of the easy things that would otherwise use up precious brain power and unnecessarily contribute to cognitive fatigue.

“The morning is when we make our best decisions, it is when the brain has had a full night’s rest, and you are not yet experiencing symptoms of decision fatigue.

“By relieving some of those decision-driven pinch points around what time to go to bed, what to eat for breakfast, and when to leave the house, we are removing some of the pressure which can result in bickering.

“Whether it’s a smart fridge that can tell you what recipes you can make based on its contents, or a smart watch waking you up at the ideal time based on your sleeping patterns – handing over these decisions could help contribute to stronger decision making through the day.”

The study was commissioned to mark the launch of Samsung’s new campaign; ‘You and AI. As One: Same Day Different Energy’ which shows how an AI-powered home can ease the daily decision overload, giving families the headspace to do the things they actually enjoy.

The study found adults each make an average of 80 decisions every day, with 12% describing themselves as ‘painfully’ indecisive. Brits are making an average of 11 choices made before 9am, leaving 27% already feeling decision fatigue by 11am.

With tricky choices including what to have for dinner based on what is in the fridge, what route to take to work or whether to take an umbrella outside all adding to ‘decision fatigue’.

Dr Jack Lewis added: “The variety of decisions we must make in a morning can often leave our 9am edge feeling a little blunted – endless minor choices sap our limited reserves of complex decision-making power and patience, creating unnecessary tensions.

“These seemingly tiny decisions all impact your brain’s performance and will leave you in a better position once your working day kicks off.

“We almost have a limit on the number of disciplined decisions we can make in a day, by relieving the burden of the small ones we can generate better outcomes in the long run throughout the day.”

The study, conducted by OnePoll.com, found 36% believe technology could help to reduce their decision fatigue – and 51% would be willing to let AI-powered tech take some of the smaller decisions out of their hands.

With what to cook for dinner based on what is in the fridge and dietary needs (41%) and the best time to leave the house (39%) among the things people would love to leave to tech.

Deborah Honig, from Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland, said: “We all know the feeling of being worn down by the little things – the ‘what’s for dinner?’ moments, the forgotten laundry, the endless reminders.

“Our AI Home technology is designed to work in harmony with your home life – lightening the load of smaller, everyday decisions and freeing up time and headspace for the things that really matter.”