2024 in Review: AI's Transformative Impact on Tech and Society
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The Verge staff's most memorable tech of 2024
There's some technology that we just can't ignore and some that you should. As far as tech goes, 2024 was a strong year for some innovative, interesting, and unforgettable moments. We kicked off the year with the Apple Vision Pro -- Apple's long-awaited entry into the world of "spatial computing." It was impressive, with The Verge's editor-in-chief, Nilay Patel, describing the device as "magic, until it's not." But it still remains to be seen if Apple's first MR device can kick off this new age of computing. Meta also showed us what it developed after investing billions into its metaverse division. Deputy editor Alex Heath got a demo of Project Orion -- a pair of AR glasses that won't make you look like a super dork (okay, maybe a little). More importantly, though, we got a sense of where AR is heading, which arguably puts Meta in pole position in this space. This was also the year of wearable AI assistants. At CES 2024, we were introduced to the cute Rabbit R1 that stole our hearts. And we got to see Humane's highly anticipated AI Pin. Even though the devices were big disappointments when they finally released, they do represent a turning point in the future of AI interactions. We can never go a year without the biggest smartphone upgrades. Samsung, Google, and Apple focused on their AI and camera qualities. We got to put Apple's big new feature for the iPhone this year, the dedicated camera button, to the test. We spent countless hours and days testing it out -- and all of the iPhone's new camera features -- while we wait for the full rollout of Apple Intelligence. We've covered almost everything, but there are a few things we missed. So we sat down with Verge staff to hear about the technology that stood out to them the most this year. Take a watch and see if your favorite tech made it in, or just get reminded of all that came out this year.
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The Verge's 2024 AI year in review
In 2024, you couldn't escape hearing about AI. From smartphones to wearables to the smart home, it seemed every tech company wanted to pitch their next great AI innovation. The year was filled with impressive technological leaps and useful new tools, endless hype and frequent misfires, and implications for the future that range from truly exciting to unpredictable. This is the year we got a sense of what AI might actually do -- and just how unprepared we still are to grapple with it. Here at The Verge, we thought a lot about AI's impacts on the industries and people we cover. From strikes across industries like gaming to its impact on our climate to the desire for policy protections for Hollywood and the AI Act, AI is already reshaping nearly every area of our lives. So let's take a look back at some of the biggest, boldest, weirdest AI stories from the last year -- and look ahead to what could be in store for 2025.
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A comprehensive look at how AI shaped the tech landscape in 2024, from wearable AI assistants to major developments in AR and VR, highlighting both breakthroughs and challenges in the rapidly evolving field.
AI Takes Center Stage in Tech Innovation
2024 marked a pivotal year for artificial intelligence, with its influence permeating nearly every aspect of technology and society. From wearable AI assistants to groundbreaking developments in augmented and virtual reality, the tech industry witnessed a surge of AI-driven innovations that promised to reshape our digital interactions 1.
Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's Project Orion
The year kicked off with the launch of Apple's Vision Pro, the company's first foray into "spatial computing." Despite its impressive features, questions remained about its potential to revolutionize computing as we know it 1. Meanwhile, Meta showcased Project Orion, a pair of AR glasses that offered a glimpse into the future of augmented reality, potentially positioning the company as a leader in this emerging field 1.
Wearable AI Assistants: Promise and Disappointment
2024 saw the introduction of several wearable AI assistants, including the Rabbit R1 and Humane's AI Pin. While these devices generated significant buzz and represented a new frontier in AI interactions, their actual releases fell short of expectations. Nevertheless, they signaled a shift towards more integrated and personalized AI experiences 1.
Smartphones Embrace AI
Major smartphone manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and Apple doubled down on AI integration, focusing on enhancing camera capabilities and introducing new AI-powered features. Apple's iPhone, for instance, introduced a dedicated camera button and new AI-driven functionalities, setting the stage for the anticipated full rollout of Apple Intelligence 1.
AI's Widespread Impact and Challenges
The influence of AI extended far beyond consumer gadgets, affecting various industries and raising important societal questions. From strikes in the gaming industry to concerns about climate impact and calls for policy protections in Hollywood, AI's rapid advancement prompted discussions about its ethical implications and the need for regulatory frameworks 2.
Looking Ahead: AI's Evolving Landscape
As we reflect on 2024, it's clear that AI has become an integral part of technological progress. While the year brought impressive advancements and useful tools, it also highlighted the challenges and unpredictability associated with AI's rapid development. The tech industry and society at large continue to grapple with AI's potential impacts, setting the stage for further innovations and debates in the coming years 2.
The Year of AI Hype and Reality Check
2024 will be remembered as a year when AI hype reached new heights, but also when the reality of its current capabilities and limitations became clearer. From ChatGPT's continued evolution to Google's advancements in generative AI, the year was filled with both groundbreaking developments and sobering realizations about the technology's current state 2.
As we look towards 2025, the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, promising further innovations while also raising important questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of human-AI interaction. The tech industry's focus on AI shows no signs of slowing down, ensuring that artificial intelligence will remain at the forefront of technological discourse and development in the years to come.
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