AI Devices Could Replace Smartphones Within A Decade
Technology leaders across Silicon Valley increasingly believe smartphones will lose their position as the world’s primary personal device within the next decade. The shift is expected to be driven by artificial intelligence, next-generation wireless networks and a new category of wearable devices designed to anticipate user needs rather than simply respond to commands.
Current smartphones and computers were built around user input. However, AI-powered devices are expected to operate differently by constantly learning, sensing and reacting in real time. These systems could become proactive digital assistants capable of guiding users through everyday tasks using continuous streams of contextual data.
The transformation will rely heavily on AI agents and the development of 6G wireless technology, which promises significantly faster and more responsive connectivity.
Tech Companies Race To Build AI Devices
Major technology companies are already developing products aimed at replacing or reducing dependence on smartphones.
Google and Meta are investing heavily in smart glasses equipped with cameras and audio capabilities that can observe surroundings and interact naturally with users. Meanwhile, OpenAI recently acquired former Apple designer Jony Ive’s hardware startup, io, for 6.5 billion dollars to develop AI-powered consumer devices.
One of the most influential companies in this transition is Qualcomm, whose chips power billions of devices worldwide. Qualcomm works with many leading technology firms developing future AI hardware, including Meta and OpenAI.
Cristiano Amon, chief executive officer of Qualcomm, believes the industry is approaching a major transformation driven by AI agents and 6G networks.
6G Expected To Reshape Connectivity
Amon said every even-numbered generation of wireless technology has historically delivered major industry shifts, including 2G and 4G. He expects 6G to bring another dramatic transition.
According to Amon, 6G will extend beyond faster connectivity by integrating artificial intelligence directly into communication networks. He believes future wireless systems will support AI devices that continuously stream and process real-time visual and audio data.
He said smart glasses are emerging as one of the most natural forms for AI-powered personal devices because they sit close to users’ eyes, ears and mouths. This positioning allows devices to understand what users see, hear and say more effectively.
“So one of the features of 6G is, I need to have a network that everything I see can get streamed to the cloud at high performance and speed,” Amon said.
Smart Glasses Lead Emerging Wearable Market
Amon predicted that AI agents would begin shifting workloads away from smartphones between 2027 and 2028. He also suggested AI wearable devices could eventually reach hundreds of millions, or even billions, of users.
He described glasses as the most promising form factor because they naturally align with human behaviour and sensory interaction.
“You turn your head, that’s where the camera is going to see what your eyes are seeing,” Amon said.
Beyond glasses, technology companies are also experimenting with jewellery, pins and pendants embedded with AI features.
Future devices could allow users to shop, search for products or receive personalised information through simple voice interactions and real-time visual analysis. Amon said these experiences would create lower-friction interactions compared with traditional smartphones.
Trust And Privacy Become Central Issues
As AI devices collect increasing amounts of personal data, trust and privacy are expected to become defining issues for the technology industry.
Amon said the next major battleground will involve determining which companies consumers trust with access to intimate personal information generated through always-connected AI devices.
He argued that future competition may become less concentrated than the smartphone market because wearable technology intersects with fashion, personal style and lifestyle choices.
Unlike smartphones, where operating systems and app stores controlled ecosystems, Amon believes AI agents could become the primary control point for future devices.
Despite concerns surrounding always-streaming AI systems, Amon compared the rise of artificial intelligence to the arrival of the internet, describing it as a powerful but manageable technological shift.
The race to define the next generation of personal technology is now accelerating. While smartphones remain central to daily life today, many industry leaders believe AI-powered wearable devices could eventually become the dominant interface between humans and the digital world.