In the coming years, users of smartphones may find themselves required to pay for access to artificial intelligence (AI) features, as companies seek to offset the considerable expenses associated with the development and provision of such technology.
This revelation emerged last Friday when a Samsung executive disclosed that the company is contemplating the idea of delivering AI services through subscription models post-2025. These services could encompass a range of functionalities, including real-time language translations, voice transcription, and automatic text summaries.
Microsoft has recently embraced this trend by introducing subscription-based plans for its Copilot AI chatbot. This allows users to unlock enhanced features and functionalities through paid subscriptions.
The announcement followed Microsoft’s revelation of plans to charge for access to the latest versions of its AI service, Copilot, amidst predictions that generative AI would continue to dominate headlines and technology in the upcoming years.
Following the launch of its first smartphone featuring access to cutting-edge technology, a Samsung executive vice-president, YJ Kim, shared insights into the company’s vision for generative AI services.
While acknowledging the significant role AI plays in the Galaxy S24 range, Kim stated that the decision to charge customers for access to the phone’s AI services in the future is yet to be finalized.
Kim highlighted the substantial costs associated with developing and upgrading AI models, as well as the operational costs for server or cloud-based solutions. He noted that the company might need to reevaluate its choices, but for now, they have committed to providing AI features free of charge until at least 2025.
The unpredictability of AI technology makes decisions about offering some services on a subscription basis challenging. Kim emphasized that the rapid pace of AI advancement makes it difficult to envision the future services it will provide.
Potential future AI offerings include personalized chatbots emulating owners’ voice patterns in both spoken and written interactions. Additionally, there is anticipation for an AI upgrade to Samsung’s intelligent assistant, Bixby.
In a parallel development, Microsoft introduced paid subscriptions for its Copilot AI chatbot, including the Copilot Pro service priced at $US20 ($30) per month in Australia. This subscription grants users exclusive access to new technology releases, compatibility across Microsoft programs, and advanced AI image software utilization.
While access to the renowned AI service, Chat GPT, remains free, Microsoft offers a premium subscription option at US$20 per month, providing additional tools and ensuring uninterrupted access during peak usage periods.
Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at the University of New South Wales AI Institute, predicts that AI technology will continue to dominate headlines, foreseeing the launch of new hardware and software in 2024 and emphasizing its critical role in driving business growth.
Research conducted by the Tech Council of Australia in the previous year indicates that the integration of AI technology has the potential to make a significant impact on the nation’s economy.
The findings suggest that by 2030, AI could contribute a substantial $115 billion to the country’s overall economic output, driven by the enhancement of business processes and the generation of innovative products facilitated by AI advancements.