Foldable Phones: A Step in the Journey, Not the Destination

Pichai explained that foldable phones are not the end goal, but rather a step in the journey towards the future of smartphones. These devices offer expanded capabilities in a phone-like form factor, pushing the boundaries of what a phone can be. However, Pichai believes that small phones will remain people's primary computing devices due to the deep habits we've developed with our smartphones.

The Role of AI in the Future of Smartphones

AI is set to play a significant role in the future of smartphones. Pichai envisions AI making it more natural and intuitive to interact with our devices. He believes that AI will enable computers to adapt to humans, rather than humans having to adapt to computers. This could involve more natural language processing, allowing us to type sentences the way we would say them, or enabling our phones to understand what we're looking at.

The Challenges and Opportunities of AI

While AI presents exciting opportunities, it also presents challenges. One of the main concerns is the pace at which AI is developing. It's important to take our time developing AI to avoid potential societal problems. For example, as AI becomes more capable of performing tasks such as writing essays, we need to consider how this will impact education and the development of skills.

Another challenge is the potential for AI to create inauthentic experiences. For instance, Google's Magic Eraser feature, which allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos, raises questions about the authenticity of our digital memories. However, Pichai believes that these tools are about giving people the power to create their own digital memories, and that it's important to use them responsibly.

Looking Ahead

While the future of smartphones is still being shaped, it's clear that AI and innovative hardware designs will play a significant role. As Pichai put it, AI is the most profound technology humanity is working on, more profound than fire or electricity. As we continue to develop and adapt to this technology, it will be interesting to see how our smartphones evolve and how they will shape our daily lives.

Watch the full interview here.