With autumn underway, the start of the school year shares a spotlight with the new iPhone’s release. It seems as though the iPhone is a universal symbol of being dialed in with the rest of society, especially amid the new rise of “green bubble shaming,” which unintentionally ostracizes Android phones. However, Android phones like those of the Google Pixel are trying to close the gap in the smartphone rivalry by adding AI to their newest model. This came nearly the same time as Apple’s implementation of AI in their 16th phone model.
According to New York Times lead consumer technology writer Brian Chen, Apple’s recent “It’s Glowtime” event in Cupertino showcased a revised version of Siri, Apple’s primary virtual assistant. The new Siri now uses Apple Intelligence, the company’s exclusive version of a ‘large language model.’ An LLM can generate text based on pattern recognition in a database.
With the release of the iPhone 16, users can now expect Siri to facilitate more anthropomorphic, free-flowing dialogue that makes it seem like they are communicating with another human being, rather than artificial intelligence. I initially thought this was comically similar to ChatGPT, which already has the potential to simplify tasks that ought to promote creativity. The fact that more phones are taking on AI-like qualities concerns me.
Just a few days prior to this event, Google’s team announced they were infusing their newest Android, the Pixel 9, with “an A.I. system that automatically summarizes audio transcripts, detects whether a phone conversation is likely a scam and helps students with homework.” The company hopes its AI software, Gemini, will act as a personal assistant, capable of eliminating the inconveniences of our modern lives.
The Apple vs. Android rivalry has existed for over a decade. However, New York Times technology correspondent Nico Grant observed that Google Pixel smartphones only have “about five percent of the smartphone market in the United States, and generally less than that in other major markets, like Britain, Germany and India, according to Statista.” Most of the company’s sales come from advertisements, especially on YouTube.
To me, implementing AI is Google’s subtle attempt at one-upping its competition, and I think the company is finally picking up on what makes Apple so appealing. The fundamental reason Apple has been so successful is due to its user-friendliness: the seamless layout and simple set-up prove the most advanced technology is not always effective in a device as wide-reaching as the smartphone. AI only works to simplify things further, so when does it go too far?
Of course, technology is meant to make our lives easier. The logistical benefits of AI’s ability to schedule meetings, correct grammatical errors in emails and help multitask overall are all net positives for citizens’ daily lives. However, AI is only getting more advanced, so it is important to be conscious and protective of original human thought.
The hypothesis of an AI “revolution” that overtakes the current human race is hyperbolic at best. However, I encourage readers to hesitate before using the most innovative features on their devices. It might be a welcome challenge to not rely on Grammarly when drafting that three-sentence email. It might be refreshing to navigate without a voice GPS and realize you knew the route all along. It might be nice to validate your own original ideas instead of turning to ChatGPT for “better” ones.
Overreliance on AI can compromise our own competency and become an addicting cycle, which is why independence is key to building a healthy relationship with technology, and it can begin one choice at a time.