Smart home AI assistants that manage energy usage and comfort are generating extensive digital footprints without homeowners’ knowledge, according to researchers. These agentic systems accumulate detailed logs of activities, plans, and behavioral patterns as part of their normal operation. Privacy experts suggest specific engineering practices could dramatically reduce data collection while maintaining functionality.
The Hidden Data Trail of Smart AI Assistants
Advanced AI home assistants that optimize energy use and comfort are generating extensive digital footprints that most homeowners never see, according to reports from privacy researchers. These agentic AI systems—which perceive, plan, and act autonomously rather than simply answering questions—create detailed records of household activities, preferences, and routines as a natural byproduct of their operation.