Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, believes that superintelligence will open the door to new “core computing devices,” such as smart glasses, to challenge decades of iPhone dominance. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of the smartphone world as we know it?
Article contents:
- Zuckerberg’s vision: The post-smartphone era
- What is “personal superintelligence”?
- Why now? The golden opportunity of artificial intelligence
- Meta’s weapon of choice: Smart glasses
- A brewing cold war: Competitors eye the iPhone
- Apple’s defense: Is the iPhone here to stay?
- Historical context: Zuckerberg’s desire to break free from Apple’s grip
- Conclusion: The future of computing is at stake
- Frequently asked questions
Zuckerberg’s vision: The post-smartphone era
Mark Zuckerberg did not explicitly mention Apple by name, but his message was clear. In a recently published statement, the head of Meta outlined his vision for a future where superintelligent AI integrates with the devices we wear, directly targeting the iPhone’s position as the primary gateway to the digital world. Zuckerberg has long dreamed of dethroning Apple, whether through his own smartphone or virtual reality headsets, but all his efforts have failed. Now, he is betting everything on advanced artificial intelligence finally opening the door to a post-smartphone world.
Zuckerberg wrote: “Personal devices such as glasses that understand our context because they can see what we see, hear what we hear, and interact with us throughout the day will become our primary computing devices.” This statement is not merely speculation, but a declaration of Meta’s long-term strategy.
What is “personal superintelligence”?
Zuckerberg coined the term “personal superintelligence” to describe his vision. This is not just about a digital assistant, but an AI system that knows you deeply, understands your goals, and helps you achieve them. Imagine a personal assistant that sees the world from your perspective, provides real-time information and advice, and continuously learns from your interactions. This is the future Meta is generously investing in, offering financial packages of up to $100 million to attract top AI talent in an arms race to develop and market this technology.
Zuckerberg believes the moment is right to shift the balance of power in the tech world. This belief comes at a time when Apple is seen as surprisingly late to the AI race. The company has delayed the launch of key features, and investors are concerned about its lack of investments compared to companies like Meta and OpenAI. This gap gives Meta a historic opportunity to bridge it and deliver an experience that combines hardware and software in a way that rivals Apple’s integrated ecosystem.
Why now? The golden opportunity of artificial intelligence
Zuckerberg believes the moment is right to shift the balance of power in the tech world. This belief comes at a time when Apple is seen as surprisingly late to the AI race. The company has delayed the launch of key features, and investors are concerned about its lack of investments compared to companies like Meta and OpenAI. This gap gives Meta a historic opportunity to bridge it and deliver an experience that combines hardware and software in a way that rivals Apple’s integrated ecosystem.
Meta’s weapon of choice: Smart glasses
Zuckerberg believes the winning form factor in this battle will be glasses. Meta already sells smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban, which look like regular glasses but contain a camera, microphone, and small speakers. These components allow for capturing photos, videos, and audio recordings, all of which are valuable data for the AI world. Meta’s product roadmap includes embedding displays directly into the lenses to allow for a visual user interface. Zuckerberg said: “Once you put a display there… that unlocks so much value where you can interact with the AI system all day in a multi-modal way.”
A brewing cold war: Competitors eye the iPhone
Zuckerberg is not alone in this bet. Many tech giants believe the time is right for a new arrangement of tech platforms. Amazon, for instance, has a deal to acquire a startup offering a wristband that records user interactions all day so AI can generate to-do lists and reminders. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has teamed up with former Apple chief designer Jony Ive to create a new physical AI device, which they see as the third primary device after the computer and the smartphone.
Apple’s defense: Is the iPhone here to stay?
Facing these challenges, Apple CEO Tim Cook has tried to reassure Wall Street about the pace of his company’s AI investments. He rejected the notion that AI would lead to a world where screen-based devices are less necessary. Cook said: “It’s difficult to see a world where the iPhone isn’t part of it.” However, he added that new devices are likely to be “complementary, not replacements.” This statement shows that Apple is aware of the coming shifts but is betting that the iPhone will remain the center of the digital ecosystem.
Historical context: Zuckerberg’s desire to break free from Apple’s grip
Facebook was born shortly before the rise of the mobile computing era led by the iPhone. Within a few years, Zuckerberg found himself struggling to adapt his position to an app economy dominated by Apple and Google. These platforms impose revenue cuts of up to 30% on in-app sales, which has always bothered Zuckerberg. Owning the next platform means breaking free from these restrictions and controlling his own destiny. He has tried before through virtual reality and the metaverse, but now he sees AI as his real opportunity.
Zuckerberg’s announcement is not just a commercial rivalry, but a declaration of war on the current concept of personal computing. He is betting that AI will fundamentally change the rules of the game and that smart glasses will be the new window to the digital world. As Apple defends its fortresses, a technological arms race is igniting to determine who will lead the next decade. The outcome will determine not only the fate of these tech giants, but also how we interact with technology in our daily lives.
Frequently asked questions
What are the smart glasses Meta is developing?
Meta is developing smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban featuring a camera, microphone, and speakers. The future goal is to integrate displays into the lenses to provide a visual and interactive user interface with AI.
Does this mean the end of the iPhone?
The iPhone is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Apple is betting it will remain the central device. However, its function may change to become less prominent with the rise of wearable AI-powered devices.
What is the “superintelligence” Zuckerberg talks about?
It refers to a form of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that equals or exceeds human intelligence. In Zuckerberg’s vision, this intelligence will be “personal,” meaning customized for each individual to help them achieve their goals.
