The personal computer (PC) revolutionized society by giving individuals the power to customize their machines and maintain control over their digital experience. However, this open spirit has been eroding, leading to a new era of closed, tightly controlled computing. The shift towards less upgradable laptops and mobile devices, led by Apple’s iPhone and MacBook lines, marked the decline of user upgradeability and repair rights. Apple’s walled-garden approach extended to software, with the iOS App Store model giving the company unprecedented control over what software could run on its devices. This shift acclimated users to a world where they no longer had full sovereignty over their machines.
Cloud computing further eroded user control, with Google leading the way by shifting core productivity apps entirely into the browser. This move made robust offline functionality a thing of the past and increased users’ reliance on cloud providers. Microsoft also played a role in this shift, aggressively remaking Windows to be opaque, update-driven, and cloud-centric. The integration of cloud-based AI assistants like Siri and Google Assistant fundamentally altered the relationship between users and their devices. Instead of simply responding to commands, these assistants shape and influence interactions, aligning with the priorities of the assistant makers.
Not only did the PC undergo a transformation from open to closed, but the internet itself also became increasingly centralized under the control of a few giant companies. Google, with its 95% share of the search market, became the gatekeeper of online information. With the integration of its Gemini AI directly into search results, Google gained even more control over users’ access to knowledge. Facebook’s deployment of Llama AI in its social networking apps further eroded individual agency in online interactions.
Microsoft’s recent announcement of “Copilot+ PCs” represents the company’s most aggressive push towards an AI-driven, cloud-dependent computing model. These machines feature dedicated AI processors capable of over 40 trillion operations per second. While these capabilities promise enhanced productivity and creative capabilities, they come at the cost of vendor lock-in. The advanced features of these AI-powered PCs are tightly tethered to Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem, limiting businesses’ ability to switch providers or maintain control over their computing infrastructure.
The risks of embracing AI-powered PCs go beyond lock-in. Features like Recall, which continuously monitors user activity, raise security and privacy concerns. Sensitive business information could be continuously uploaded to Microsoft’s servers without clear visibility into how the data is used or who has access to it. Moreover, the AI models powering these features are black boxes, making it difficult for businesses to understand and control the algorithms shaping their operations.
For businesses operating in regulated industries or handling sensitive information, the compliance implications are significant. Ceding control of their computing environment to a third party jeopardizes their ability to meet legal obligations around data protection. Investing in open, interoperable solutions that businesses can control and customize to their own needs is a wiser path.
Individual users can vote with their wallets by rejecting devices and services that compromise their autonomy and supporting open hardware and software alternatives. Organizations like FUTO (Fund for Universal Technology Openness) play a critical role in building and promoting viable alternatives to the walled gardens of tech giants. By funding open-source versions of important technical building blocks like AI accelerators and making decentralized software more user-friendly, organizations like FUTO help preserve digital freedom.
While the era of the truly open PC may be fading, making mindful choices about technology and rallying around organizations like FUTO can keep the flame of digital freedom alive. Holding on to old PCs loaded with open-source operating systems may be the last refuge where individuals can use technology on their own terms, without constant surveillance and control. Preserving a corner of the digital world where individual autonomy reigns supreme is crucial in the battle for digital freedom.