Not everything should be called ‘AI’

The era of AI continues, as the technology continues to form the basis of a ton of new features across virtually every piece of new tech. But, as impressive as it all is, the term “AI” already feels wildly overused.

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AI features can be genuinely impressive. ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, image generators, and everything else built on the back of recent AI innovations has been simply incredible. But, in the wake of that popularity, AI has become a buzzword for everything.

One of the best examples of that right now is the Galaxy S24 series, where Samsung is effectively selling its new phones on “Galaxy AI” and the new features backed up by Google’s Gemini models. Some of these new features are really impressive, but at the same time, it really feels like we’re calling everything AI when it doesn’t need to be.

For example, the Galaxy S24 series includes an “Interpreter” mode for translating languages on the fly for an in-person conversation. It works rather well, but it’s also not a new idea. Google Translate has done this for a long time, and “AI” has never been a part of the pitch for the feature. It’s always been going on in the background, but Google has never really shouted “AI!” from the rooftops here.

So, why is that the case with Samsung’s version? Because that’s the buzzword of the day. The same goes for the little suggestion chips in Samsung’s Gallery app that suggest edits you can make. Cool, and I understand how AI could help there, but this functionality has existed way before the current AI push.

Calling these features out as “AI” just feels unnecessary

That’s not to point at Samsung like it’s the only brand doing this. Google is too. Features that existed years ago are being rebadged under AI. Case in point is Circle to Search, which is virtually the same thing as “Google Now on Tap,” which existed almost a decade ago as just a neat Android feature. Both features need machine learning and, in the case of Circle to Search, Google is leveraging multi-model AI, but the end functionality is effectively the same. So why make a big deal out of calling it AI?

If there’s a new feature coming to your smartphone in 2024, it’s probably going to mention AI at some point or another. It’s just inevitable, at least for now.

But in doing that, the term “AI” is just getting diluted. Of course, “AI” is a really broad term. But for general consumers, the idea of AI was slowly coming to mean generative AI, where a user prompt or a piece of content can be expanded on, turned into something else, or summarized. That’s novel and exciting, but by using “AI” as the basis for everything, it just becomes way less meaningful, and really simple but useful features end up feeling wildly underwhelming.

When will that come to an end? At this moment, it almost feels like this is just our new reality, but like any other buzzword, the constant pushing of “AI” will eventually fade away… right?

This Week’s Top Stories

Pixel 9 leaks are here, and so is the latest Feature Drop

This week was unexpectedly a big one for Google Pixel. The company launched a new “Mint” colorway for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, released a new Feature Drop that is, for the first time, not paired to an Android system update, and we also caught our first glimpse of the Pixel 9 series way ahead of schedule.

Here’s a roundup of all the big news.

Pixel leaks:

First Pixel 9 Pro renders leak: Flat edge, camera bar redesign, more

Pixel 9 renders surface with new design, periscope telephoto camera [Gallery]

Pixel 8a retail box leaks and confirms design

Feature Drop & Mint:

January Feature Drop is just app updates, regular February Pixel OTA to follow

January Feature Drop: Pixel 8 Pro body temperature, Circle to Search, and more

Pixel Thermometer update rolls out: Body temp requires US SIM, cool 8 Pro, more

Here’s the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro in Mint [Gallery]

Android Auto gets its first redesign of 2024

Meanwhile, Android Auto is also getting a big update. While it’s not the new AI summaries that were announced earlier this month, Google Assistant is getting a huge redesign, and voice replies are also getting a way better UI too. The changes seem to be rolling out with the latest updates.

Android Auto rolling out major redesign for Google Assistant and voice replies [Gallery]