Crossing the AI Threshold: Redefining How Consumers Use Their Mobile Devices
Reflecting on the recent launch of the iPhone 16 Pro, there’s no doubt that Apple has once again delivered a technically impressive device, packed with iterative improvements in hardware and software. But the conversation around this latest release goes far beyond improved battery life, camera improvements and design tweaks: it’s also about the transformative power of AI and its potential to redefine the way consumers interact with their mobile devices.
With the promise of Apple Intelligence, the latest generation of iPhones has paved the way for what could be a pivotal shift in mobile technology. While AI has long been used behind the scenes in smartphones, quietly optimizing processes like battery life, predictive maintenance and app performance, we are now on the threshold of a new era – an era where AI comes out of the background will fade into the background. at the forefront of the mobile device user experience.
President of Global Connected Living at Assurant.
The role of AI on mobile devices today: optimization without awareness
Until now, AI has played a crucial but largely invisible role in improving the performance of smart devices, with AI-driven algorithms helping to manage energy consumption and ensure consumer devices last longer between charges. Smartphone cameras have long used AI to recognize scenes and automatically adjust settings, or to enable predictive text, allowing users to streamline typing, automatically correct errors and anticipate common word combinations. These features have all resulted in a better user experience and increased the value of phones and tablets, but they haven’t fundamentally changed the way users interact with their devices.
In fact, most consumers are unaware of the important role AI already plays in these background tasks. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about half of Americans are aware that they interact with AI every week, and only 27% understand that they interact with AI all the time or multiple times a day. That is precisely the challenge that AI must overcome if it is to cross the transformative threshold. AI’s true potential lies not in passive optimizations, but in more active engagement with users, shaping the way they use their mobile devices in real time.
Imagine a mobile interface that intuitively understands your preferences, anticipates your needs and adapts to your behavior in real time. This is the future we’re heading into – one where AI-powered interfaces provide a level of personalization and convenience that unlocks entirely new ways for us to communicate, create and experience.
Apple Intelligence, as integrated into the iPhone 16, promises to make this leap. While much of the functionality will be rolled out in the coming months, it is designed to improve consumer experiences by predicting what users will want to do next, whether it’s suggesting apps based on recent activity or giving of personalized content recommendations. Its potential is enormous, and while the iPhone 16 has been in the news lately, there are exciting advances being made in AI across the industry.
Overcoming the barriers: technology, privacy and trust
Of course, crossing this AI threshold does not come without challenges. To deliver transformative experiences, mobile devices must be equipped with powerful neural processing units (NPUs) and advanced software that can support real-time AI interactions. And any disruptions in the global supply chain of the crucial chipsets could have hindered the progress of AI. The iPhone 16’s hardware, with its improved memory and upgraded processor, lays the foundation, but the real test will come when features like Apple Intelligence are fully operational.
Equally important is addressing the ethical and privacy concerns associated with AI-driven personalization. Consumers are increasingly wary of how their data is used, and for AI to succeed, companies must prioritize transparency and security. Another survey from the Pew Research Center shows that 71% of Americans are concerned about how companies use their data. Apple’s commitment to on-device processing, which keeps sensitive data on the device, is a step in the right direction.
For AI to become a fundamental part of the mobile user experience in the long term, companies must build trust by demonstrating that it can improve security, efficiency and convenience without compromising user privacy.
The potential of AI-driven mobile experiences
The iPhone 16 and its AI capabilities are just the beginning. What will really differentiate future smart devices is how well they integrate AI into the user’s daily life.
We’re already seeing glimpses of this future in features like Google’s Circle-to-Search on Pixel devices and Samsung’s AI-powered photo editor tools, which let users easily remove unwanted objects from photos. Tools that increase productivity, such as call transcriptions and live translations, are invaluable for busy people and those who work in multilingual environments. AI can also provide groundbreaking tools for people with disabilities. For example, cameras can provide visual cues to help people with visual impairments take photos effortlessly.
We’ve also seen speculation about whether AI features could drive the next super cycle of handset upgrades. According to IDC, “the buzz created by Gen AI smartphones is expected to grow faster than any mobile innovation we have seen to date and is expected to capture 19% of the market with 234 million shipments this year.” Some analysts predict that the integration of Apple Intelligence will drive early adopters to upgrade massivelywhile others argue that economic factors may dampen consumer enthusiasm. According to a report from Canalys, 16% of global smartphone shipments will feature AI by 2024, which will increase to 64% by 2028, resulting in a staggering Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 63%.
It’s important to note that while AI has the potential to transform mobile experiences, it may not be enough to convince the average consumer to spend $1,200 or more on a new device, especially if the benefits aren’t immediately tangible . The real question is whether AI can deliver enough value to justify the cost of upgrades, and that remains to be seen.
Conclusion: the future of AI on mobile devices
It will be up to the consumer whether manufacturers deliver on the promise of AI, but we are clearly on the cusp of something transformative. The challenge for smartphone manufacturers is to deliver tangible, meaningful benefits to users while maintaining their trust and protecting their privacy. If they can deliver on these promises, the future of mobile technology will look brighter than ever.
We list the best AI tools.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro’s Expert Insights channel, where we profile the best and brightest minds in today’s technology industry. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing, you can read more here:
