A Possible Future of Smart Devices and Human Interconnectivity

I have recently attended the #SwissInnovationForum in Basel. A wonderful, very inspiring experience with great speakers. The talk by Qualcomm SVP Susie Armstrong influenced today’s thoughts. Ms. Armstrong was the first to invent a method to connect a phone to the internet and holds many patents in mobile networking technology. On stage, she made a humble, but I think deep prediction: the age of the smartphone is coming to an end. Not necessarily of the functionality of the smartphone, but of the form factor (UI) and its user experience (UX). I believe that’s right, and I want to explore what could replace it, given the rapid evolution of smart devices and artificial intelligence (AI).

The Evolution of Smart Devices and the Role of AI

The smartphone form factor is now almost 20 years old (let’s just follow Wikipedia and call the first full smartphone the LG Prada from 2006). Since then, these devices have become of course much more feature-packed and bigger. Much bigger. So big, that even I, with my big hands (and a certain predilection for a lot of screen real estate) have trouble handling these beasts. There isn't much we can in this direction anymore, and I don't believe that foldable, rollable or otherwise collapsible screens will be a mass market phenomenon. Rather, I think the next decade will see entirely different devices that will take the place of the now ubiquitous smartphone. This transformation is not merely due to hardware advancements but also due to the advancements made in AI. Let’s look at both the hardware and the software sides… and then go a bit crazy.

Hardware has evolved a lot. While screens got better and better, it’s the non-screen technology that’s interesting. I recently saw a design exploration of a radar enabled device that would make the touchscreen unnecessary… it’s a simple leap to imagine a head-mounted wearable (aka. glasses) that is gesture enabled. Google Glass was an early attempt, but maybe the time wasn’t right for that. But now, with better battery technology and connectivity across different wearables, it’s easy to imagine a replacement of the smartphone that combines a heads-up display for feedback and a non-tactile interaction method.

But who needs radar technology anyways? Tesla's FSD (full self-driving) technology might not be totally ready for prime time, yet, but it shows where AI will lead us. The engineers made the decision to get rid of radar, lidar and all other expensive sensor technology and base their AI mostly on visible spectrum data, aka. light, using cameras (which got smaller and cheaper thanks to smartphones). Since most of our devices already include cameras, it's a simple step to imagine an always-on camera that looks for gestures and interprets those using AI on device.

But enough with the simple ideas. One step further cuts out sensors entirely: actual brain-computer interfaces. These are, I think some of the most intriguing developments in the domain of potential future "wearables". While invasive methods, like implanting electrodes in the brain, are being researched (most popularly by Musk’s NeuraLink), a more immediate and less intrusive approach might involve devices that can read brain signals on the surface of the head (or somewhat invasive on the surface of the skull), enabling us to control technology directly with our thoughts.

From Thought to Command: The New Interface

The prospect of steering devices with our thoughts, bypassing traditional physical interfaces, is not so far-fetched. Currently, technologies like Google's Recorder app demonstrate how AI can convert vocal commands into text, effectively transforming thoughts into a digital format via a circuitous process (brain – vocal cords – sound waves – microphone – AI – text) that seems natural to us, because we are used to it. Extending this concept, sophisticated AI could interpret brain signals as inputs, converting thoughts directly into commands or text. Recently, Japanese research has provided a proof-of-concept, showing that brain signals can be interpreted to reproduce an envisioned image on screen. It sounds incredible, and yet, these are the times we live in.

One or more developments like this could effectively eliminate the need for physical interfaces like smartphones. Instead of translating thoughts into finger movements on a screen, or voice commands, we could directly command devices with our minds. Such an interface would not only streamline our interaction with technology but also potentially revolutionize the way we communicate and interact with each other.

Human-to-Human Interconnectivity via AI

The implications of AI-mediated thought communication extend beyond human-device interaction. It suggests the possibility of a new form of human-to-human communication, facilitated by technology. If AI can interpret and translate our thoughts accurately, it could enable us to communicate our ideas and emotions more directly to others, transcending language barriers, spatial separation, and physical limitations. Less loftily, it may be possible to transmit pictures, melodies, and thoughts in general from one brain to another. If possible, learning might be revolutionized, as the sharing of knowledge and skill may become even simpler than previously. At the very least, it will give us a way to call another person without having to whip out a rectangular pocket computer.

By its ability to turn any signal into any other signal, AI thus has the potential to become the universal interface. Not only between devices, but also between devices and humans as well as humans and humans.

However, this vision of interconnectedness is not without its ethical dilemmas and potential dangers. The ability to read and transmit thoughts raises concerns about privacy, security, and the potential for misuse. The prospect of mass-scale propaganda, brainwashing, or the creation of a hive-mind society are real concerns that must be addressed as these technologies advance – and they will advance, because AI enables them and there is no stopping the development of AI anymore. It is imperative to consider the ethical implications of these advancements. The potential for abuse and the impact on individual autonomy and privacy cannot be overstated. It is crucial that we, as a society, engage in a thoughtful and proactive discourse about how to responsibly integrate these technologies into our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of smart devices and human interconnectivity, as shaped by AI, holds immense potential for transforming our interaction with technology and each other. While the opportunities for augmentation and enhanced communication are exciting, they also present significant ethical challenges. It is essential that we approach these developments with a careful consideration of their implications, ensuring that the benefits are harnessed responsibly and equitably. The decisions we make today will shape the landscape of our technological future.