In the ever-evolving world of technology, 2024 has brought some exciting innovations along with an alarming number of trends that expose the pitfalls of our current technology culture.

Here are some of the worst tech trends of 2024 that have frustrated consumers and industry leaders and aren’t likely to abate next year, from over-the-top AI gimmicks to erosion of privacy and unsustainable hardware practices.

1. Distribution of useless AI tools

Generative AI dominated 2023, but by 2024 the trend has become absurd. Countless companies have deployed AI-powered tools that address non-existent problems — or create entirely new ones.

AI now generates everything from poorly edited videos and incomprehensible blog posts to automatically written emails that require human intervention to correct. Tools that claim to offer productivity increases often lead to inefficiencies due to their poor outputs.

The flood of low-quality AI products has undermined confidence in truly useful AI innovations. Small businesses and consumers alike are overwhelmed by tools with exaggerated marketing promises.

Many of these flawed AI solutions add another layer of automation without providing real value. This overproduction has created noise, making it harder to distinguish truly transformative tools from mere gimmicks.

2. Decline of digital privacy

Former Oracle CEO Larry Ellison once said, “Privacy is dead.” However, privacy has been resurrected and killed more times than a Tyrannosaurus Rex in a “Jurassic Park” sequel.

Digital privacy continues to erode in 2024 as major tech companies push the boundaries of data collection under the guise of personalization. This year, the rise of AI-powered surveillance tools has become particularly worrisome. Facial recognition is now integrated into everything from retail stores to public transportation systems without adequate regulation or oversight.

Hyper-targeted advertising across platforms and connected technologies has reached a tipping point. New technologies are scraping data from multiple devices at unprecedented levels, often without users’ consent or precise opt-out options. Smart home devices, for example, have increasingly come under fire for tracking conversations and usage patterns far beyond their intended purpose.

Perhaps most worrying is the resurgence of the “we’re improving your experience” excuse. Tech companies are increasingly circumventing GDPR-like protections by using complicated terms of service that make opting out prohibitively difficult. This unfortunate phenomenon sets a dangerous precedent for future interactions between consumers and technology.

3. Technical entry Fatigue

Most technology users will identify with this tendency. In 2024, the “everything-as-a-service” model has reached absurd new heights.

From software to hardware, companies are increasingly turning products into monthly subscriptions. Consumers now pay subscriptions for products that were traditionally one-time purchases: automakers charge for heated seats, printers require monthly fees to unlock ink usage, and even smart home locks demand ongoing payments to access advanced features.

The subscription model has become synonymous with monetizing basic functionality. What started with streaming platforms has now spread to almost every product category. It has become overwhelming, financially unsustainable and increasingly frustrating for many consumers. Companies risk alienating their customer base by prioritizing recurring revenue over user experience.

4. Return of vaporware and overpromises

Tech companies have revived a worrying trend of overhyping products that don’t exist in usable forms. This year has been marked by big promises of game-changing devices and services that either under-deliver or never materialize.

One example is the pressure for AI computerswhere marketing campaigns offer devices with unparalleled capabilities that remain largely theoretical. Similarly, augmented reality (AR) platforms have made headlines, but most consumers still lack meaningful use cases beyond demo videos and niche applications.

This trend mirrors the vaporware hype of the early 2000s, where buzzwords like “digital transformation” were attached to half-baked products. In 2024, buzzwords like “quantum-ready” and “AI-powered” are increasingly slapped on underdeveloped offerings to ride the tech wave, undermining consumer confidence.

While I’m optimistic about the rise of PCs (both Windows and Mac, x86, Arm or Apple Silicon-based) with integrated AI technology at the silicon level, the jury is still out on whether mainstream consumers have drunk the AI ​​Kool-Aid.

5. E-waste from unnecessary upgrades

The unsustainable technology upgrade cycle will worsen in 2025. Major hardware manufacturers continue to push minor annual refreshes of devices while retiring older models earlier than necessary. Smartphones, laptops and portable devices now seem designed for obsolescence, forcing users to replace functional devices far too soon.

This approach has produced alarming levels of electronic waste. Consumers face limited repair options as companies lock in parts and limit third-party solutions, leading to devices being thrown away rather than repaired. Moreover, the push for disposable devices contradicts the industry’s public commitments to sustainability.

At the same time, new hardware launches often emphasize gimmicky features, such as foldable screens or AI-generated wallpapers, that offer little usability. Meanwhile, real performance improvements are increasingly incremental, leaving users questioning whether upgrades are worth the cost.

6. Dystopian Applications of AI Surveillance

AI surveillance tools have seen rapid adoption, especially in workplaces and schools. Employers are increasingly turning to AI monitoring software to track productivity by analyzing keystrokes, screen activity and facial expressions. This invasive approach erodes trust between employers and employees while normalizing invasive surveillance practices.

Similarly, schools have begun implementing AI tools to monitor student attention and behavior, often with flawed algorithms. These technologies reinforce punitive environments and have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. Critics argue that such systems prioritize control over genuine engagement or well-being.

7. Social media’s algorithmic decline

Social media algorithms in 2024 have become worse than ever, prioritizing engagement metrics over quality content. Platforms are flooded with clickbait, misinformation and sensationalist posts designed to keep users scrolling endlessly. Genuine connection — once the core promise of social media — has been replaced by a relentless pursuit of ad revenue.

Adding insult to injury, platforms intensified the push for paid verification and algorithmic boosting, forcing creators to pay for visibility. This pay-to-play model exacerbates inequality in content discovery, pushing smaller creators to the margins.

Conclusion: A call for responsible innovation

While technology has the potential to improve lives, 2024 has brought forth trends that emphasize profit, surveillance and short-term gains over long-term innovation and ethical considerations.

From the abundance of useless AI tools to worsening e-waste and dystopian surveillance practices, it’s clear the tech industry needs a course correction.

Consumers, regulators and innovators must push for responsible, meaningful progress, as ignoring it will allow these trends to define the future of technology.