Smartphones will continue to serve as the primary gateway to future operating systems despite rapid advances in artificial intelligence, according to Akis Evangelidis, co-founder and President of Nothing India.
Speaking at the NDTV Ind.ai Summit in Delhi, Evangelidis said AI will transform how users interact with devices but is unlikely to replace smartphones as core hardware.
Smartphones here to stay
“Without a doubt, the smartphone will still be the main gateway to the next kind of operating system,” he said. He highlighted the device’s integrated sensors, user context and data capabilities as factors that make it irreplaceable.
Evangelidis noted that several brands have experimented with AI-first hardware, but many of those attempts failed to gain traction. He described smartphones as “essential devices” that provide the infrastructure for AI-powered experiences.
Ethics and regulation
On the question of AI governance, Evangelidis compared the current technological shift to the early days of the internet. He acknowledged uncertainty but emphasised the importance of agile regulation.
He praised recent Indian government mandates requiring social media platforms to label AI-generated content and remove misleading material within hours of detection. According to him, such measures show proactive oversight while allowing innovation to continue.
Trial and error phase
Evangelidis also said the industry is undergoing a period of experimentation, with companies rushing to introduce AI features. “Quite a few of them failed,” he observed, adding that trial and error is necessary before sustainable solutions emerge.
He stressed that technology firms must not lose sight of the end user amid the race to embed AI capabilities.
The discussion reflects broader industry consensus that while AI will reshape digital ecosystems, smartphones are likely to remain central to everyday connectivity and computing.