But Copilot will still be integrated into Tizen OS, and Samsung appears eager to push chatbots into TVs, including launching Perplexity’s first TV app. Amazon, which released Fire TV with Alexa+ this year, is also looking at putting chatbots in TVs.
After the kind of backlash LG faced this week, companies may reconsider installing AI apps on people’s smart TVs. Larger language models may be better used in TV as a behind-the-scenes tool to improve TV viewing. People don’t usually buy smart TVs for easy access to chatbots.
But this development is still troubling for those who don’t want an AI chatbot in their TV at all.
Some people don’t want chatbots on their TV
The subtle integration of generic AI makes it easier for people to do things like find out the name of “that movie,” which could have practical uses, but there are plenty of reasons to be wary of a TV running a chatbot.
Chatbots add another layer of complexity to understanding how a TV tracks user activity. With the inclusion of chatbots, smart TV owners will be subject to complex smart TV privacy policies and terms of service, as well as the same rules as third-party AI companies. This will make it harder for people to understand what data they are sharing with companies, and there are already serious concerns about the limits it could extend to tracking smart TV users, including without consent.
Chatbots can also contribute to smart TV bloatware. Unwanted things like games, shopping shortcuts and flashy advertisements are already annoying people who just want to watch TV.
LG’s CoPilot web app deserves some criticism, but not necessarily because of the icon that users will eventually be able to remove. A more pressing issue is the TV industry’s shift toward monetizing software with user tracking and advertising.
If you haven’t already, now is a good time to check out our guide to breaking free from smart TV ads and tracking.
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