AI was the buzzword at almost every other booth at MWC 2024. One product that caught everyone’s attention was the Ai Pin by Humane, a Silicon Valley startup founded by ex-Apple executives. Moving beyond smartphones and touchscreens, this tiny wearable device offers a new way of computing with gestures and just your voice. We got to see a quick demo of the Humane Ai Pin at work. Ritesh Bendre, Global Content Manager at Counterpoint Research, met with Imran Chaudhri, Co-Founder and CEO of Humane, to talk about the revolutionary AI product that aims to redefine how we interact with technology.

The Interview

Key Takeaways from the Discussion:

Motivations behind Humane’s Ai Pin:

• Smartphones have reached the peak of a 15-year cycle.
• Innovation has plateaued.
• Need for a new form factor with intelligence and agility.
• Freeing users from the limitations of touchscreens and keyboards.
• Not a replacement for existing smartphones and PCs, but a companion device.

New ways to interact with voice and laser:

• Ai Pin boasts a screenless design.
• It uses voice commands for basic interactions.
• Also features a laser projection display that appears only when needed.
• Includes a camera that records short videos, captures photos with AI assistance, and more.

AI at the core:

• Features a custom-built AI operating system (AI-OS) created from the ground up.
• AI integration aims to automate many user tasks.
• Allows for a more seamless and effortless computing experience.

A glimpse into the future:

• Chaudhri believes AI will play a central role in future Humane products.
• AI will also play a crucial role across various sectors, including health, education, and information access.
• Automation through AI will improve user experience and interaction with future computing devices.

Analyst Takeaways:

• The Humane Ai Pin gives us an early glimpse at what a phone-free future could look like.
• The Ai Pin can respond to queries, make and receive calls, click photos, and record videos, thus doing more than what an AI assistant-powered smart speaker can do.
• However, the device’s high initial cost of $699, followed by a monthly subscription of $24, and availability only in the US could hinder its mainstream adoption.