2023 is seen as the year that was defined by artificial intelligence (AI) and this year, the technology is poised to be bigger and better. AI took the centrestage, especially in the computing world where Google, along with other smartphone makers, leveraged AI-based features and tools in the Android operating system.

At CES 2024, Google’s general manager and vice president of Android, Google Play and Wear OS, Sameer Samat showcased the vision of the future of AI in smartphones and how it will change the way users use their phones.

According to a report by CNET, Samat mentioned that AI was already there in our smartphones and used to handle a lot of things like photo editing, language translation, etc, however, the inception of generative AI platforms has made the smartphone experience better.

Here are some key experiences that AI is going to make in terms of smartphone using experience according to Samant.

Enhanced user interaction: AI, particularly generative AI, promises to redefine how users interact with their smartphones. Features like rewriting text messages in different tones and manipulating objects in photos showcase the potential for more dynamic and personalised interactions.

Gradual interface transformation: Sameer Samat envisions a gradual transformation of the phone’s underlying interface. This shift, powered by AI, could bring about a more intuitive and efficient user experience, challenging the traditional app-centric model.

Natural language processing: Unlike past voice assistants, the new wave of AI focuses on natural language processing. It can understand and interpret complex language structures, converting them into actionable code, thereby making interactions with smartphones more conversational and responsive.

Privacy-focused on-device processing: With the on-device processors getting more powerful, such as Google’s Tensor and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, signals a move towards processing data directly on the device. This not only enhances performance but also addresses privacy concerns by minimising reliance on cloud-based processing.

Industry-wide integration: Major players in the smartphone industry, including Google, Samsung, and Apple, are actively integrating AI into their products. This widespread adoption underscores the industry’s recognition of AI as a transformative force that will shape the future of smartphone experiences.

Innovative AI-driven products: Startups are introducing pocket-sized devices with interfaces entirely based on AI, bypassing traditional apps. This hints at a shift towards more innovative and AI-centric product designs, challenging conventional approaches to smartphone functionality.

Anticipated excitement: Features like Google’s Magic Editor, which allows users to manipulate objects in photos, are seen as exciting glimpses into the future. The anticipation around these AI-driven features is expected to attract consumers to explore and adopt new smartphones with enhanced capabilities.