AI-powered PCs appear to be the future, with support from tech giants like Intel, AMD, and Apple. neural processing unit (NPU)–equipped computers. However, I find that it's the tools and features of Google's ChromeOS AI that interest me the most.
Although tech bigwigs are confident that many of the best computers and laptops will soon be powered by artificial intelligence, with Gartner Predicting that 22% of all personal computers will be powered by artificial intelligence by 2024, there is a clear disconnect between this expectation and what the standard for AI PCs should be.
The price of entry for this technology could be in the thousands, making it a huge investment that buyers will have to make for a product that does not yet have a defined shape or roadmap for future development.
Meanwhile, Google's ChromeOS has already been using AI tools in the background for quite some time, including launcher search bar, hardware acceleration, live captions, palm rejection when using a stylus and artificial intelligence-optimized batteries that have improved battery life.
According to Google's vice president of ChromeOS products, UX and engineering, John Maletis, “specifically with generative AI, there are new opportunities to create useful features.” He adds that Google doesn't want to roll out new features just to include them; instead, the company has been working on AI features that tangibly benefit the user.
Google Chromebook Plus has already seen some of these useful features and tools added to its line of laptops, including, Maletis says, “writing and reading assistants that we saw previously, Magic Eraser and more,” many of which are Google tools Gemini (formerly known as Google Bard) integrated into Google Workspace and other programs.
Recently, Google Gemini received an update which added generative AI to create images, which is fully integrated into Google products and accessible with a right click. And now there are some useful writing tools built into Google Workspace that, also with a right click, allow users to type a message to generate text. You can also “emoji-fy” said text, which adds relevant emoji scattered throughout the text.
Maletis says Google believes in “democratizing access to new technologies, including AI. [And that] “ChromeOS’s natural advantages with the cloud help make much of this possible at this early stage of the technology.” And that's something I can get behind.
As problematic as generative AI can be, many AI features, tools, and even programs can greatly benefit people. And those tools shouldn't be locked behind expensive technology that the average person can't afford. It is imperative that good AI, at a minimum, remains accessible to everyone.
