AI is a technology not a product

Industry experts and analysts are asserting that artificial intelligence (AI) should be understood as a technology embedded within products, not as a standalone product itself. This perspective counters recent hype suggesting AI will lead to entirely new devices or ecosystems, such as driverless cars or ubiquitous virtual assistants, replacing existing hardware and interfaces.

In a recent analysis, industry observer Steven Levy highlighted that major technology companies like Apple focus on shipping products that deliver experiences, with AI serving as an underlying technology rather than a product to be sold separately. Apple’s approach, as explained by its executives, has historically been to prioritize products and features over the underlying technology, with the goal of creating seamless user experiences.

Levy’s commentary references Apple’s stance that AI is an inflection point, but one that will be integrated into existing and future products rather than a new product category itself. This aligns with Apple’s past strategy of focusing on user-centric products like the iPhone and iPod, rather than just the technologies behind them.

Some claims, like the idea of AI enabling driverless cars to autonomously fetch users, are viewed skeptically by analysts, who argue that such scenarios are speculative and not grounded in current technological realities. Experts emphasize that actual products depend on tangible hardware and user interfaces, primarily smartphones, which are unlikely to be replaced entirely by smaller, AI-driven devices in the near term.

Why It Matters

This clarification matters because it tempers exaggerated expectations about AI’s disruptive potential. While AI will undoubtedly influence product design and user experiences, understanding it as a technology embedded within existing devices helps prevent unrealistic hype. For consumers and investors, this perspective encourages a focus on meaningful innovations rather than speculative hype about entirely new ecosystems or devices.

Background

The recent surge in AI hype has led to claims that AI will revolutionize everything from transportation to social media. Historically, technology companies like Apple have avoided marketing technologies as standalone products, instead emphasizing the experiences they enable. This approach has shaped past successes, such as the iPhone’s impact on mobile computing. Experts now suggest that AI will follow a similar path, becoming a pervasive technology integrated into existing hardware rather than a new device category.

Previous technological shifts, like the rise of wireless connectivity, demonstrate how foundational technologies become embedded in all devices. AI’s role is expected to be similar, influencing product features without necessarily creating entirely new product categories.

“AI is a technology that enhances existing products rather than being a product itself.”

— Steven Levy

“We never think about shipping a technology. We want to ship amazing products, features, and experiences, and we don’t want our customers to think about what technology makes it possible.”

— Apple executive (Greg Joswiak, as referenced by Levy)

What Remains Unclear

It remains unclear how rapidly AI will become deeply embedded in consumer products and whether new hardware leveraging AI will emerge as distinct offerings. Predictions about AI-driven ecosystems, such as autonomous vehicles or virtual assistants that operate without user input, are still speculative and depend on technological and regulatory developments.

What’s Next

Industry analysts expect continued integration of AI into existing devices, especially smartphones and wearables, with future product announcements clarifying how AI features will be packaged. Monitoring how major companies like Apple, Google, and others incorporate AI into their product lines will be key in understanding the evolution of AI as a technology versus a product.

Key Questions

Is AI a standalone product I can buy?

No, AI is a technology that is integrated into products like smartphones, smart assistants, and other devices. You don’t buy AI itself but rather products that use AI to enhance functionality.

Will AI replace my smartphone or other devices?

Current experts believe AI will augment existing devices rather than replace them entirely. Smartphones are likely to remain central, with AI features embedded within them to improve user experience.

Why is it important to see AI as a technology and not a product?

Viewing AI as a technology helps manage expectations and prevents hype-driven misconceptions about revolutionary new devices. It emphasizes that AI’s value lies in its integration within existing and future products.