Ownership of Intelligent Assistants: A New Paradigm
Traditional Ownership Models: Phones and Apps
In the contemporary tech ecosystem, consumers often claim ownership of their smartphones but maintain a different relationship with the apps that reside on these devices. Typically, the phone is a purchased piece of hardware, while apps are services that users either ‘subscribe to’ or ‘use.’ This usage often comes with a “Terms of Use” agreement, a legally binding contract that stipulates the rules, terms, and guidelines for using the service. These agreements, often glossed over by users, can contain clauses that allow the service provider to collect, use, or even sell user data.
The Shift with Intelligent Assistants (IAs)
With Intelligent Assistants, the concept of ownership undergoes a radical transformation. Unlike apps, where the relationship is more akin to a subscription or a license, an IA is unambiguously yours once purchased. There are no ‘Terms of Use’ agreements to navigate; you own the software and the hardware outright.
Data Security and Autonomy
Your IA works both with and without an internet connection, ensuring that most of your sensitive data resides solely on the device. This localized data storage is encrypted and can only be decrypted using a combination of a physical key and biometric verification. If you lose the device, you lose access to the data, but so does anyone who might find or steal the device.
Implications of True Ownership
Ownership in the context of IAs is profound. It grants users complete control over their device, both in terms of function and the data it holds. It is a shift from a model of conditional usage, bound by agreements and subscriptions, to one of true ownership. This evolution in consumer technology changes not just our interaction with devices, but also the ethical and legal landscape surrounding them.