People are using AI to make their smart TVs smarter

Using artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a popular way for people to customize their smart televisions and make them feel more personalized and responsive. Users are turning to AI coding assistants, such as Anthropic's Claude Code, to disable unwanted software, replace cluttered home screens, and create more user-friendly interfaces.

One developer, motivated by the need to fix his parents' television, shared his experience on social media. By using Claude Code, he was able to overhaul a Xiaomi TV, removing 25 software packages and building a replacement home screen that now looks like an Apple TV. Another user reported getting rid of ads, bloatware, spyware, and a laggy user interface, even adding a beautiful screensaver that displayed their revenue, calendar, weather, and notifications for new Stripe payments.

These modifications have led to the creation of an open-source project called CleanYourTV, originally called tv-vibehack. The project aims to replace promotional clutter with an interface organized around the apps users actually utilize. People who have tried it are enthusiastic about the smoother performance and reduced workload on their televisions.

The appeal of AI customization is clear, as pressing the "Home" button and seeing personalized content, like one's own photos and favorite apps, is much more inviting than being greeted by more advertisements. However, the real estate on the home screen is also valuable for companies running the TVs, as it provides them with opportunities for increased revenue. Despite this, some owners are opting to make changes with the help of AI, which TV companies have little incentive to offer themselves.