AI is moving beyond chatbots and into the devices people use every day: smartphones, wearables and connected home technology. The next consumer-tech race may be less about adding another app and more about making AI useful in the background—when people take a photo, organise their day, monitor activity or control their homes.
Running more AI directly on a device can mean faster responses and greater privacy, while reducing dependence on cloud processing. But it also creates trade-offs around battery life, computing power and device cost. And as products become more connected, ecosystems may become an even stronger reason for consumers to stay with one brand.
The opportunity is significant, but the winners will need to turn impressive demonstrations into features people genuinely use—and are willing to pay for.
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