It’s intriguing how we refer to smartphones as “smart,” considering that users still handle many tasks manually. While these devices are certainly more advanced and faster than the feature phones of the past, labeling them as “smart” feels somewhat exaggerated.

Apple executive Eddy Cue sees a future where AI could potentially render devices like the iPhone obsolete within the next decade. Cue expressed this perspective during his testimony in the Google antitrust case, suggesting, “You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now, as crazy as it sounds.” He emphasized the importance of technology shifts in creating competition and opportunities, noting that AI signifies such a shift, which could lead to new advancements and entrants into the market.

AI has already made many processes simpler. For example, instead of manually searching through numerous websites for information, AI can quickly summarize content and present it in an easy-to-understand format.

Tasks like photo editing have also been streamlined; what once required skills in programs like Photoshop can now be achieved with tools such as Google’s AI Magic Eraser, which allows users to remove unwanted objects with just a tap. Despite the promising advancements in AI, there is concern about Apple’s position in this rapidly evolving landscape.

The company appears to be lagging, as its Apple Intelligence tools have yet to match the capabilities demonstrated by competitors like Google and Samsung. Moreover, reliance on external firms like OpenAI for advanced AI functionalities highlights Apple’s current limitations.

With Siri still lacking the expected enhancements, one wonders if AI will indeed replace the iPhone ten years down the line. However, the bigger question remains: will Apple lead this transformation or be forced to adapt due to its slow progress in the AI domain?