The personal computer (PC) revolutionized society by providing individuals with the power and control over their own technology. However, the open and customizable nature of PCs has been gradually eroding, giving way to a new era of closed, tightly controlled computing. This shift towards closed computing can be attributed to various factors, such as the rise of mobile devices and cloud computing, as well as the dominance of tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
One of the key factors contributing to the decline of open computing is the shift to less upgradable laptops and mobile devices. Companies like Apple, with its iPhone and MacBook lines, prioritized sleek designs and tight hardware-software integration over user upgradeability and repair rights. This shift not only limited users’ control over their devices but also set the stage for a more curated computing experience.
In addition to hardware restrictions, software has also become tightly controlled. The introduction of the iOS App Store model, emulated by Google with Android, gave companies like Apple unprecedented control over what software could run on their devices. The idea of curated computing, marketed as a security benefit, started to acclimate users to a world where they no longer had full sovereignty over their machines.
The rise of cloud computing further eroded user control and ownership. Companies like Google shifted core productivity apps to the browser, making robust offline functionality a thing of the past and increasing users’ reliance on cloud providers. Chrome OS took this philosophy to the extreme, producing machines that were essentially conduits to Google services.
The integration of cloud-based AI assistants like Siri and Google Assistant also transformed the relationship between users and their devices. Instead of simply responding to commands, devices with AI assistants proactively shape and influence interactions. This shift blurred the line between the device as a tool and the device as a guide that aligns with the priorities of the assistant maker.
It’s not just the PC that has undergone this transformation; the internet itself has become increasingly centralized under the control of a few giant companies. Google, with its 95% share of the search market, has long been the gatekeeper of internet information. With AI integration into search results, Google now has an even more profound intermediary role, constantly interpreting and filtering online knowledge. Similarly, Facebook’s deployment of AI-driven assistants in its social networking apps means users are subjected to a constant stream of AI-driven suggestions and interpretations, eroding individual agency in online interactions.
Microsoft, seeing the writing on the wall, has aggressively remade Windows in a closed and AI-driven model. With its Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft aims to create the fastest and most intelligent Windows PC ever built. These machines feature dedicated AI processors capable of over 40 trillion operations per second. However, the advanced capabilities of these processors are closely tied to Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem. Features like continuous activity monitoring and AI-powered creative tasks are deeply integrated with Microsoft’s servers, effectively funneling users into Microsoft’s ecosystem and eroding user control.
This shift towards closed and AI-driven computing models raises concerns of anticompetitive behavior and monopolistic control. Microsoft’s history of antitrust troubles, particularly their bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows in the 1990s, is a cause for alarm. However, the chances of a robust regulatory response seem slim, given the tech industry’s lobbying power and growing influence in Washington.
For businesses, the rise of AI-powered PCs presents both benefits and risks. The increased productivity and creative capabilities are enticing but come at the cost of vendor lock-in and limited control over computing infrastructure. Businesses become more dependent on a specific provider and face challenges if they want to switch or maintain control over their own data. Compliance implications, security risks, and loss of autonomy are significant concerns for businesses operating in regulated industries or handling sensitive information.
To counteract this shift towards closed computing, it is essential to invest in open and interoperable solutions. Organizations like FUTO (Fund for Universal Technology Openness) play a critical role in supporting the development of open technologies and user-respecting software. By funding open-source versions of important technical building blocks and making decentralized software more user-friendly, FUTO aims to reduce the appeal of convenience-for-control tradeoffs.
While individual actions like supporting open hardware and software alternatives are important, coordinated efforts and investment in open technology are necessary to preserve and extend the open computing model. Holding onto old PCs, loaded with open-source operating systems like Linux, can provide individuals with a refuge where they can maintain control and autonomy over their digital lives.
In conclusion, the decline of open computing and the rise of closed, AI-driven models pose significant challenges to users’ control and autonomy. The dominance of tech giants and their influence over the regulatory landscape make it difficult to initiate a robust regulatory response. However, investing in open and interoperable solutions and supporting organizations like FUTO can help preserve digital freedom and empower individuals in a world increasingly dominated by closed computing.
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