How smartphones powered the AI boom in 2024
The IndependentSign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The generative AI boom continued at pace in 2024, with smartphones becoming a key battleground for the technology’s development as Samsung, Google and Apple all introduced new AI tools to their devices. Seeking to get ahead of rivals when it comes to rolling out generative AI features was to be a theme of 2024, as Google brought forward the launch of its flagship Pixel 9 series phones from its traditional September or October slot to August, a move analysts said was a clear attempt to get its new AI-powered devices in consumers’ hands before Apple would unveil the iPhone 16 range, complete its Apple Intelligence AI tools, in September. These clear statements from two of Apple’s biggest rivals meant there was a huge focus on the iPhone maker and how it would choose to approach the rise of generative AI. In June, the company previewed what was to come, a suite of tools it called Apple Intelligence which, much like Samsung and Google before them, would use generative AI to help users edit text, transcribe conversations, and edit photos or generate new images, as well organise and summarise notifications.