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.

It’s 8am and you’re late for work. You rush into the kitchen for a bowl of cereal only to find you’ve run out of milk. At that moment the doorbell rings. It’s a delivery of groceries that you didn’t order, including a carton of milk. That’s the future according to Poppy and Amazon Dash.

In 2014, 110 million US adults were hacked. As we fill our homes with smart lights and thermostats, heightened connectivity is bringing heightened insecurity. A guard dog for the digital age, CUJO is designed to keep the connected home secure from cyber-threats. But are our homes really at risk?

By the end of 2015, 20 million US households will have a smart home device. But while brands keep releasing tech, many people remain underwhelmed. Philips now hopes to make smart home lighting simple with its wireless dimming kit, but can it spark interest in the modern, connected home?

How are people furnishing their homes? What do they want in a real estate agent? And is the future of utilities green? As part of our Expert Outlook 2017 series, we speak to three home experts about space-saving furniture, emotional investment, and why people will finally switch energy suppliers.