Apple joins the race to find a reasonable AI icon

The tech world is struggling to create a symbol that represents artificial intelligence (AI) that is easy for users to understand. Apple, Google, Meta and other companies are all trying to design AI logos, but so far there are no clear results.

The problem is that no one really knows what AI looks like. It works everywhere but has no specific shape. However, developers need an icon to let users know they are interacting with AI, not just searching, sending information or other common tasks.

Early AI symbols were often small robots, witch hats, or wands. However, this can make users feel that the AI ​​is unfriendly, rigid, and limited. On the contrary, a powerful symbol like a wand evokes mystery, which is not consistent with the trustworthy image that companies want to build for AI.

Brand logo design is often a combination of vision, commercial intent, and compromise. This is also evident in current AI logos. OpenAI chose a black dot, symbolizing the user taking the question into a dark, unclear place. Microsoft has a complex logo that is difficult to describe.

However, what many AI logos have in common is the use of bright, pleasant colors. This color is intended to create a friendly and open feeling for users. Additionally, some logos have animation effects to create an impression of flexibility and responsiveness. In general, current AI logos seek to convey friendliness, openness and limitless potential, rather than factors such as expertise, efficiency or decisiveness. However, these color shapes do not really convey the essence of AI. They show users that this is not an email, search engine, or note-taking app.

In contrast to clear functional icons such as envelope (email), gear (settings), download (down arrow), to date there is no icon that accurately expresses the concept of AI. AI is a new technology for users and companies are trying to replace “other things” with AI. However, this concept of “other” itself is not clearly defined. Technology companies want users to believe that AI can do anything, it just takes time and technique.

While we wait for a clearer definition of AI, symbols representing AI will likely continue to be abstract, non-threatening shapes.