Major technology companies are preparing for a significant shift in personal computing, driven by advanced artificial intelligence. Industry experts suggest that AI assistants could soon become the primary way people interact with technology, potentially reducing the importance of the smartphone as we know it today.
While devices like the iPhone continue to see incremental updates, a new wave of AI-powered hardware is emerging. These devices aim to integrate technology more seamlessly into daily life, moving beyond the screen-and-app model that has dominated for over a decade.
Key Takeaways
- Advanced AI assistants are expected to become the new operating system for personal technology, automating tasks and reducing reliance on manual app usage.
- Wearable devices, including smart glasses and advanced smartwatches, are being developed as potential successors to the smartphone.
- Ambient computing, which integrates AI into home and office environments through smart speakers and displays, is also gaining importance.
- Startups are exploring specialized devices like AI-powered recorders to augment human capabilities such as memory.
- Significant challenges, particularly regarding user privacy and device battery life, remain for the widespread adoption of these new technologies.
From Apps to Intelligent Assistants
The core change predicted by tech executives is a move away from the current app-based ecosystem. Instead of manually navigating through various applications, users will interact with a single, highly capable AI assistant that performs tasks on their behalf.
This would involve the AI handling everything from scheduling meetings with friends to creating shopping lists or summarizing work discussions. The familiar process of swiping through menus and typing on keyboards would become less frequent.
"The operating system that you’re used to working with on a phone and the apps that you launch — the way that you actually do things — will start to disappear in the background, where your assistant will actually start doing things for you," said Alex Katouzian, an executive at Qualcomm.
This transition would place the AI assistant, rather than the phone's software, at the center of the user experience. The hardware itself might also evolve to better support this new interaction model.
The Next Generation of Personal Hardware
With AI at the core, companies are exploring several new form factors for personal computing devices. The goal is to create hardware that is more aware of the user's environment and can offer assistance proactively.
Smart Glasses Enter the Mainstream
For decades, smart glasses have been a concept in development. Now, with advancements in AI, they are becoming a more viable product. These devices could provide real-time information based on what the user sees and hears.
Meta has made significant strides in this area with its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which integrate a camera, speakers, and the Meta AI assistant. Users can ask questions about their surroundings, from identifying landmarks to translating text.
Growing Market Adoption
According to reports, sales of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have surpassed 2 million units, indicating growing consumer interest in wearable AI technology.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has publicly stated his belief in this technology. In a letter on Meta's website, he noted, "Glasses that understand our context because they can see what we see, hear what we hear, and interact with us throughout the day will become our primary computing devices."
However, challenges remain. Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Creative Strategies, points out that battery life is a major hurdle for small, lightweight devices. Creating glasses that are both functional and fashionable for all face shapes is another complex design problem.
The Rise of Ambient Computing
Another vision for the future involves "ambient computing," where AI-powered devices are integrated throughout a person's environment. This category includes smart speakers and displays like Amazon's Echo line, which have been in development for over a decade.
Panos Panay, Amazon's head of devices, believes that as AI assistants become more conversational, they will make ambient devices more useful than phones for certain tasks. For example, asking a question during a dinner conversation can be done without anyone having to look at a screen, keeping the focus on the interaction.
"If you don’t have to pull something out of your pocket, it’s very powerful," Panay explained.
He clarified that this doesn't mean the smartphone will disappear entirely, just as laptops remained relevant after smartphones became widespread. Instead, different devices will serve different purposes.
Specialized AI Wearables
Beyond general-purpose devices, some companies are focusing on specialized hardware designed to augment specific human abilities. These devices are built around the idea of a constantly present AI companion.
A New Role for the Smartwatch
Carl Pei, CEO of the smartphone company Nothing, has shifted his focus toward a "reimagined smartwatch." He believes a device on the wrist is ideal for gathering contextual information when a phone is put away. The smartwatch is unobtrusive, always present, and a familiar form factor for millions of people.
Established Wearable Market
The smartwatch market is already well-established, with more than 100 million units sold annually. This existing user base could make it easier to introduce more advanced AI features on the wrist.
Pei envisions an AI on the watch that personalizes its functions for each user. For a fitness enthusiast, it could automatically track workouts. For a business professional, it might automate scheduling by coordinating messages, calendars, and location data.
Wearable Recorders as a Second Brain
Startups are also exploring devices that serve as an external memory. Companies like Limitless AI are developing wearable pendants that record conversations and generate transcripts, acting as a perfect memory aid.
Dan Siroker, CEO of Limitless AI, described the concept as "a device that augments our capabilities and frees our mind of our biological limitations." An always-on AI assistant could remind a user of a forgotten promise made to a colleague or even offer real-time coaching on communication skills.
Privacy and Practicality Hurdles
Despite the technological potential, the future of always-on AI devices faces significant obstacles. Privacy is a primary concern for consumers, as devices that are constantly listening and seeing raise questions about data security and personal boundaries.
Dave Evans, a hardware designer with experience at Apple and Samsung, suggested that such devices might first find acceptance in professional settings, where employees already have a lower expectation of privacy on company-monitored computers.
The ultimate vision, as described by former Google Glass software designer Bob Ryskamp, is a future where individuals wear multiple smart devices—like a necklace, watch, and glasses—that work together in a "symphony of AI."
For this to become a reality, technology companies must not only solve complex technical problems but also earn the trust of consumers by addressing privacy concerns head-on. The transition beyond the smartphone will depend as much on design and ethics as it does on artificial intelligence.