The mainstreaming of AI is setting a new precedent for how people relate to non-human sources of intelligence. While automation on a consumer level has typically focused on specific tasks like replying to emails or budgeting, it’s now swiftly expanding to a more dynamic range of applications.

People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

Dyson has introduced a pair of wireless headphones with a removable visor that allows people to breathe filtered air while listening to their favourite podcast or song. With air pollution a concern in urban areas, innovations to solve these public health concerns help people feel safe.

As people looked for ways to stay calm and self-soothe during the pandemic, a new love for cleaning emerged. But while ‘CleanTok’ videos may be going viral, it’s green cleaning that’s really got people talking. But what do they expect from brands and products in this growing household segment?

While watching someone pull hair from a drain may not be everyone's go-to entertainment, for the devoted fans of CleanTok, it's all in a day's work. These extreme cleaning videos speak to Americans' increased fixation on their home environments – and their desire for calming, satisfying media.

People are increasingly feeling as though generative AI isn’t just a fad but rather will become a part of their daily lives – even if they don’t fully trust it. While generally cautious about the technology, a desire remains for the automation and simplification of everyday tasks AI can provide.