People are using AI to make their smart TVs dumb again

People are using AI coding agents to customise smart TVs, remove sponsored ads, simplify home screens and limit tracking. The trend matters because it gives more people a way to push back against intrusive advertising and viewing-data collection, potentially challenging how TV makers earn money from ads.

Projects such as dumbtv and cleanyourtv can remove unwanted software and install a simpler launcher on some Android, Google and Fire TV devices. One developer said thousands of people tried his tool across brands including Xiaomi, TCL, Sony and LG within two days; it removed 25 Xiaomi packages from his parents’ TV. The tools are still works in progress, and compatibility varies.