Technology Should Be Helping Us Clean the House, Not Making Art Instead of Us

I recently attended an event where one of the panelists made an interesting point: she didn’t want technology to take over creative tasks; she wanted it to handle the housework. Her reasoning was simple: if technology could manage household chores, she’d have more time to pursue her passions and creativity.

This idea resonated with me deeply. By leveraging technology at home, we can free up time for what truly matters—work that fulfills us, spending quality moments with family, and achieving a balanced lifestyle.

Reflecting on this, I examined how I use technology around my house and whether it actually saves me time. Without becoming a tech-obsessed optimization geek, I realized that modern technology is indeed becoming increasingly helpful in our daily lives. Here are a few examples from my own home that might inspire you:

A Smart Cooking Machine

About two years ago, I bought a Thermomix, and it was the best decision ever. I use it at least once a day. This machine is connected to a vast database of recipes, allowing you to look up meals based on the ingredients you have, plan your menus, and cook with ease. The Thermomix cuts, weighs, mixes, boils, and even prepares food for the oven. Tasks like making cakes or kneading dough, which once seemed daunting, are now enjoyable experiments!

With the Thermomix, you know exactly how long it will take to cook your chosen dish, and your involvement is minimal. It saves time and enables a much healthier, home-cooked menu.

Smart Home Heating Control

This technology helps you not only reduce your gas bill (saving the planet too!) but also ensures 100% comfort during the cold season. Each room is heated to your preference and only when you’re using it. While automating the heating system may require a significant initial investment, it’s absolutely worth it.

The best part? When you travel, you can turn on the heating remotely so that your house is warm and cozy by the time you get there.

AI-Controlled Home Appliances

Kudos to my husband for this one. All our appliances and lights can be controlled from our phones, saving both time and effort. Whether turning them on remotely or receiving notifications about issues, this system is incredibly efficient. Plus, when it makes sense, the devices communicate with each other—like the cooker hood activating automatically when it detects vapors from cooking. It also turns on the light and shuts everything off when done.

I haven’t always been a tech enthusiast; I used to be a late adopter of most new technologies. But recently, I’ve become increasingly interested in how AI, tech, and IoT can assist with both physical chores and intellectual tasks. I enjoy using ChatGPT too, for various tasks, but I also cherish my creativity and want to nurture it.

In conclusion, my goal is to use technology as much as possible for tasks I dislike, freeing up time to do what I love. This applies to both my personal and professional life.

What about you? How are you using technology to enhance your life?