2025-12-16 12:45:34

Vodafone research suggests the UK public is increasingly open to letting artificial intelligence (AI) take on household chores, with nearly a quarter of Britons saying they would pay for an AI-powered cleaner as part of a more connected home.

The study highlights how internet connectivity has shifted from a basic utility to a core part of everyday life.

Almost 60 per cent of respondents said reliable broadband now matters more to them than any other household service, reflecting how deeply digital tools are embedded in work, entertainment and home management.

That reliance is beginning to reshape expectations of what technology should do at home.

While smart speakers and connected TVs are now commonplace, Vodafone’s research shows growing appetite for more practical uses of AI.

Around 24 per cent of people said they would pay for an AI cleaner to handle chores, while 17 per cent would welcome an AI housekeeper to help with tasks such as shopping and cooking.

Nearly a quarter also said they would like smart kitchen technology capable of preparing meals.

Security remains another major driver of smart home adoption, as almost half of those surveyed said they already own two or more broadband-powered security devices, such as smart cameras or doorbells, a sharp rise compared with five years ago.

Looking ahead, four in five respondents want to see further innovation in home security, particularly solutions that are affordable, easy to install and tightly integrated with their broadband service.

Vodafone is positioning itself at the centre of this shift with the launch of “Who’s Home”, a new feature built into its latest Ultra Hub 7 routers.

The tool notifies households when connected devices arrive or leave the network, offering a simple way to track when family members get home without installing additional hardware.

Technology experts say these developments point to a broader change in how homes will operate over the next decade.

AI is expected to move beyond novelty features to quietly managing energy use, monitoring safety and supporting independent living, all underpinned by fast, reliable connectivity.

Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director at VodafoneThree, said in a statement: “Home broadband has moved from being a convenience to becoming a cornerstone of daily life – and with that shift, expectations of what it should deliver have grown.

“From predictive networks that know when you’re about to stream your favourite show, to AI companions that help run the household, the connected home is about making technology seamless and everyday life easier.

“With the launch of Who’s Home, we’re giving householders greater peace of mind with alerts when loved ones arrive or leave. It’s a small feature that makes a difference, and we’re proud to be the first and only major UK provider to offer it on our latest routers, at no extra cost.

“This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Vodafone as we continue to innovate and bring even more intelligent features into our customers’ homes through our broadband offerings.”

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