Aubay blog

How artificial intelligence is replacing screens in our relationship with technology

For decades, screens have been the primary interface between humans and technology. From CRT monitors to smartphone touchscreens, we’ve grown accustomed to interacting with devices through visual surfaces. However, with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, we are witnessing a transformation in how we engage with the digital world — raising the question: in the near future, could we do without screens?

Joana Sena

Artificial Intelligence and the Evolution of Digital Interfaces: Is This the End of Screens?

AI is becoming so sophisticated that traditional physical interfaces — keyboards, mice, and screens — are beginning to feel obsolete. Voice interfaces, augmented reality (AR) devices, and neural interfaces are emerging as viable alternatives to physical screens. But are screens, which have shaped our relationship with technology, really going to disappear?

The Rise of Virtual Assistants and Voice Interfaces: The Future of Digital Interaction

Virtual assistants have become ubiquitous in recent years. Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google Assistant are examples of how AI already enables natural interactions through voice commands.

Natural Language Understanding: AI and the Evolution of Human-Machine Communication

Thanks to language models like GPT and LaMDA, virtual assistants are increasingly capable of understanding user context and intent. They’re no longer limited to simple commands — they can now interpret complex questions, respond contextually, and even anticipate user needs.

In 2024, Amazon announced the release of an improved version of Alexa, featuring an advanced AI model that enables more natural interactions and faster processing of multiple chained commands.

Additionally, IBM has made strong investments in conversational AI with the launch of WatsonX. This platform combines language models trained with enterprise data and AI governance tools, enabling the creation of specialized virtual assistants capable of understanding natural language in a contextual and secure way. The watsonx Assistant, for example, has seen wide adoption in sectors such as financial services, human resources, and customer support, where precision, traceability, and personalization are crucial (source: IBM WatsonX).

Integration of Smart Devices: How AI Is Making Life More Connected

The integration of voice assistants with home devices and operating systems is becoming increasingly sophisticated:

Control lights and home temperature with voice commands.
Start virtual meetings without clicking a single button.
Manage calendars, set reminders, and create to-do lists via voice.

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) is further expanding these possibilities, allowing devices to communicate with each other and automatically respond to user preferences.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): The Future of Digital Immersion

AR and VR are redefining how we interact with the digital world, offering more immersive and interactive experiences.

Devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Microsoft’s HoloLens enable three-dimensional interaction in virtual and mixed environments. The Vision Pro, for example, combines AR and VR to project digital screens directly into the user’s field of vision.

Instead of looking at a physical monitor, the user can view multiple digital windows in a virtual space.
Virtual objects can be manipulated with gestures and voice commands — no keyboard or mouse needed.
Interfaces can be customized to create a workspace tailored to individual preferences.

Apple describes the Vision Pro as the beginning of a new era in spatial computing, where interaction with technology is intuitive and no physical devices are required.

How Augmented Reality Is Transforming the Way We Work and Learn

Companies across sectors such as healthcare, engineering, and design are already adopting AR and VR to:

Perform AR-assisted surgeries, allowing surgeons to view real-time data during procedures.
Design 3D models of buildings and products before physical construction.
Simulate complex scenarios for training and skills development.

Neural Interfaces: The Future of Human-Machine Interaction

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are emerging as the next major step in how humans interact with machines.

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s company, is developing technologies that enable direct communication between the human brain and electronic devices. The first human trials were conducted in 2024, showing promising results in interpreting brain signals to control external devices.

The technology uses sensors implanted in the brain to detect neural signals.
These signals are interpreted by AI algorithms and translated into commands to control computers, prosthetics, and mobile devices.
In the long term, this technology could enable seamless communication between humans and machines without the need for any physical interface.

Neural Interfaces: The Ultimate Evolution in Human-Machine Communication

Natural Interaction: The use of voice, gestures, and neural signals will make interacting with technology more intuitive and efficient.
Greater Mobility: Without the need for physical screens, users can interact with digital environments anywhere.
Reduced Fatigue: Eliminating screens may help reduce eye strain and posture-related issues from prolonged computer use.
Personalized Experience: AI can automatically tailor the digital environment to individual user preferences and behavior.

The Challenges and Risks of a Screenless World: What Still Needs to Be Addressed?

Privacy and Security: Voice and neural interfaces raise concerns about protecting sensitive data and the risk of cyberattacks.
Accessibility: Ensuring these new technologies are available to all is critical to avoiding digital inequality.
Business Adaptation: Companies will need to adapt processes and products to respond to new interaction paradigms.
Mental Health: Constant AI integration in our lives may increase the risk of dependency and digital overload.

Will Screens Disappear Altogether? The Future of Digital Interaction

It’s unlikely that screens will vanish completely in the near future, but their role is clearly evolving.

As AI and alternative interfaces (voice, gestures, and neural) continue to develop, screens may become less central to the digital experience.

Hybrid interfaces — combining AR, VR, voice, and neural input — are the most likely direction forward.
Screens may become more discreet, appearing only when needed, as projections on surfaces or visible only through AR glasses.
AI will serve as the "invisible interface", automating and personalizing our interactions with the digital world.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is profoundly transforming the way we interact with technology. Screens, which for decades were at the center of digital interaction, are gradually being replaced by more natural and immersive interfaces. Virtual assistants, augmented and virtual reality, and neural interfaces are opening the door to a future where technology is invisible, integrated into our surroundings, and adapted to our daily needs.

Whether screens will disappear entirely remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the way we interact with technology will never be the same.

At Aubay, we are committed to embracing this transformation and helping businesses harness the opportunities AI offers. Through our strategic partnership with IBM, we focus on innovative solutions that not only optimize processes but also create sustainable value. We believe that Artificial Intelligence, combined with human expertise, is key to preparing organizations for a digital future where interactions with technology are more intuitive and effective.