The Disillusionment of AI in the Gadget World

The onset of the AI era was anticipated to usher in a golden age for innovative gadgets. Just a while ago, analysts were forecasting that the introduction of Apple Intelligence would trigger a "supercycle" of smartphone upgrades, driven by a wave of enticing new AI features that would prompt consumers to make purchases. Companies like Amazon and Google were busy promoting their ecosystems of devices, promising a seamless, intuitive, and personalized computing experience. Meanwhile, numerous startups were flooding the market with AI-powered gadgets, ensuring that connectivity was never out of reach. The expectation was clear: AI was set to significantly enhance every gadget, and every gadget was poised to adapt to the AI-centric landscape.

This entire vision rested on the belief that advancements in virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, Gemini, and ChatGPT would revolutionize our daily tasks. The assumption was that traditional typing and tapping would soon be obsolete, replaced by smart AI companions capable of understanding and executing tasks on demand. However, despite more than a decade of investment from tech companies in virtual assistants, tangible results have been elusive. It was thought that this new wave of AI would finally change the game.

Yet, a major roadblock existed: the technology simply wasn't ready. While chatbots might provide a fun interaction or occasionally replace a search engine, genuinely transformative virtual assistants remain a distant reality. Without these capabilities, the anticipated gadget revolution has failed to manifest.

In the interim, the tech industry became increasingly fixated on these flashy language models, leading to a virtual halt in the production of high-quality gadgets. Some companies have effectively paused on new product development, waiting for AI to reach a level of functionality before proceeding. Others have resorted to releasing iterative upgrades that lack true innovation, generating a dull product cycle dominated by the slogan of "just add AI." This stagnation has rendered the post-ChatGPT product landscape frustratingly uninspiring, robbing consumers of what could have been an exhilarating time in tech. The underperformance of AI is casting a shadow over everything else.

Among the various players, Apple stands out as a prominent example. Since unveiling Apple Intelligence at the WWDC last June, the company has marketed nearly all of its recent product launches under the banner of this new technology. Commercials for the iPhone 16 have focused more on its AI capabilities than on the actual features of the smartphone, even though Apple Intelligence was not available until months later. An upgraded iPad Mini and the iPad Air were similarly pitched as powered by Apple Intelligence, while the new base iPad lacks compatibility with this feature. Apple continues to spotlight its AI model despite it being little more than a tool for writing and summarizing text.

The feature that consumers are genuinely eager to see – a substantially improved Siri capable of better understanding and executing commands – is not yet available. Recently, an Apple spokesperson indicated that this feature may take longer than expected to roll out. The company even pulled an advertisement featuring Bella Ramsey that highlighted the supposed capabilities of the iPhone 16 Pro due to the ongoing delays.

Many consumers feel misled, having seen advertisements for non-existent features, purchasing devices that don’t function as promised, and ultimately believing they received a significant upgrade when in fact it was merely a minor specification enhancement. Apple has become too invested in promoting Apple Intelligence to reconsider its approach, fearing backlash from investors if it were to backtrack.

The ongoing inadequacies of Siri have also contributed to delays in Apple’s upcoming product releases. There have been reports of a smart home hub designed to utilize Apple Intelligence, particularly a more capable Siri, to manage household tasks automatically. This device was initially slated for release this month but is now being postponed, largely due to unresolved technology issues.

Ambient computing devices equipped with voice recognition capabilities were expected to thrive under the AI vision. However, Amazon too has become trapped in AI hype well before the technology matured for consumer application. Previously recognized for its creative hardware innovations, such as the rapid launch of numerous Alexa devices in a single day, Amazon now finds itself stagnant. Since the introduction of the new version of Alexa in September 2023, a lack of significant new Echo devices has left the company revisiting ideas they've explored in the past.

Amazon bet heavily on this new version of Alexa, envisioning a future where smart speakers could evolve from simple audio devices to indispensable assistants. The promise was that devices would continually improve through software updates rather than requiring new hardware. Unfortunately, the realization of AI's potential proved more complex than anticipated. After considerable delays and mixed reviews about the AI capabilities of Alexa, the company essentially launched a version that repeated previous efforts without any new hardware to display. Promises of new and exciting hardware from Amazon’s CEO have not yet materialized.

It's not just the major corporations facing these challenges; even startups are struggling. Recently, many have emerged with the proposition of creating devices that can record daily life using AI to process the content. Companies like Friend and Plead have sought investment but have often delivered products that fail to truly engage users or perform as suggested.

Product makers currently exist in a challenging environment. If the belief is that AI represents a revolutionary shift akin to what smartphones and the internet created, waiting for ideal technology might seem unwise. The fear of falling behind in this rapid development cycle looms large.

Sadly, numerous companies have built their strategies around a theoretical and perfected version of AI rather than seeking immediate, practical applications. There are numerous opportunities already available where AI can enhance products now, like improving the efficiency of robotic vacuums or aiding video doorbells in distinguishing between people and objects. However, the current focus on AI appears more as a selling point rather than a tool to make devices functional; customers aren't drawn to smart gadgets for their AI capabilities. Instead, they want devices that serve concrete purposes.

Perhaps at some point in the future, "AI-enabled" will be a desirable trait for gadgets. However, at present, the ongoing wait for AI to catch up threatens to waste a generation of promising hardware. There are still many interesting challenges to address in technology! What if, instead of vague AI promises, producers prioritized creating smartphones with better battery life or durability? What if startups shifted focus toward solutions that cater to users' specific requirements rather than riding the AI wave? What if major players like Amazon and Apple redirected efforts to enhancing the user experience of their existing devices rather than waiting indefinitely for AI breakthroughs?

There remains considerable space for innovation and improvement in everyday technology, but the industry appears reluctant to explore these avenues. Many are hesitant, preferring to wait for AI to resolve challenges at an uncertain pace.

AI, gadgets, technology, innovation, failures