Currys guide to AI
We get it - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. And it’s easy to feel like you’ve heard it all before. This guide is designed to cut through the jargon to show you how AI is already making your tech smarter and your life a little easier.
Discover AI tech for:
Featured AI tech
AI tools worth knowing about
You’ll have no doubt heard of some AI tools, here’s a breakdown of what they do and where to access them.
Gemini (Google)
Google Gemini is a multimodal AI that works across text, images, audio, video, and code. It’s great for summarising, creating content, coding, and analysing data, with deep integration into Google tools - making it a versatile all-in-one assistant for productivity, creativity, and technical tasks.
Works seamlessly with multiple input types
Built into Google products
Excellent at summarising, content creation, coding & data analysis.
A basic free version of Gemini is available for compatible devices. A subscription required to use more pro features.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence* is Apple’s privacy-focused AI built into iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It helps with writing, image creation and smarter Siri interactions.
Built in to Apple products to create smarter devices
Privacy first through on-device and secure cloud.
Understands your context, like what’s on your calendar or in your messages.
Copilot (Microsoft)
Microsoft Copilot is an Ai assistant built into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. It helps people work smarter by drafting text, analysing data, and summarising information. With Microsoft’s strong security and privacy standards, Copilot is trusted for business use, and it adapts to your own files, emails, and chats to provide personalised, context-aware support.
Use Ai directly in Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
Built with Microsoft’s security, compliance, and privacy standards.
Uses your files, emails, and chats to give context-aware help.
A free version of CoPilot is available on compatible devices. A subscription is required to use more advanced features
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
A powerful chatbot that can write, code, answer questions and generate images. Available on web, mobile and via API. A basic version is available for free, with a subscription required for more advanced features.
Perplexity AI
An AI search engine that gives cited answers and deep research tools. Great for fact-checking and exploring complex topics.
Prompting:
The secret sauce
A prompt is just what you type to tell AI what you want. The trick? Be clear, specific and give context. Instead of “Write a blog,” try: “I’m a travel blogger. Write a 300-word post about hidden beaches in Cornwall, with a friendly tone” The better the prompt, the better the result.
This image was generated using ChatGPT with the following prompt:
Generate a photo-realistic image of a tiger slouched on a comfortable leather sofa watching TV in the middle of the day. Show the image from the perspective of the TV from a wide angle to show the whole sofa and surrounding purple themed decor in his lofty London apartment. The tiger has a bowl of popcorn on its belly and he's tossing some into his mouth with his paw as he lazily scrolls through the TV channels with the remote. There is strong sunlight entering the room, lighting the tiger's fur.
Agents:
The next big leap
Looking ahead, agents are expected to become more proactive, personalised and emotionally intelligent. They’ll learn your preferences, anticipate your needs and collaborate with other agents to get things done - without the need for constant input. Some will even act as full digital teammates, supporting creative work, managing workflows or making decisions based on your goals.
The big shift? Agents won’t just respond - they’ll start to think ahead.
* Older devices might not be compatible. A subscription may be required. Always check the device specification and operating system required before you download or subscribe to any paid service.
Discover more AI tech for:
Frequently asked questions about AI
What is AI?
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is technology that enables devices to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. It analyses data to recognise patterns, helping your gadgets become more intuitive, efficient, and capable of assisting with complex everyday challenges.
Are AI laptops worth it?
Yes, AI laptops are worth it, especially for multitaskers and creatives. AI laptops feature dedicated hardware like NPUs to handle intensive tasks efficiently. These tools boost performance and preserve battery life, making your device faster and more future-proof for evolving software.
What does an AI phone do?
AI phones enhance your daily life through "on-device intelligence." They offer real-time call translation, advanced photo editing (like removing strangers from backgrounds), and smart battery management. Features like Circle to Search also allow you to identify anything on your screen instantly.
How to use AI for work productivity?
You can use AI to increase work productivity by summarising long documents, drafting emails, and transcribing meetings automatically. These AI tools help organise your schedule and find files through simple natural-language searches, significantly reducing time spent on repetitive life admin and office tasks.
How does an AI washing machine work?
AI washing machines use sensors to detect the weight and fabric softness of your laundry. They then automatically adjust the water level, detergent dosage, and drum movements. This ensures a deep clean while protecting your clothes and reducing energy and water waste.
How does AI actually work in everyday home tech?
AI in consumer tech moves beyond basic programming by learning from your habits. Instead of just following a schedule, AI devices analyse data to make real-time decisions, like a laptop shifting processing power to save battery, or a smart fridge tracking your groceries. It’s built-in intelligence designed to make your gadgets more intuitive and less reliant on manual input.
What makes an AI laptop different, and are they worth buying?
Yes, AI laptops, such as Microsoft Copilot+ PCs, are highly worth it for multitaskers, students, and creatives. Unlike traditional laptops, they feature a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) designed specifically to handle heavy AI tasks locally. This means features like background blurring on video calls, live captioning, and image generation run at lightning speed without draining your battery or relying on a cloud connection.
What are the most useful AI features on modern smartphones?
Today's AI phones, like the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel ranges, use "on-device intelligence" to transform how you use your phone. Standout features include real-time call translation, advanced photo editing tools like Magic Eraser to remove photobombers, and Circle to Search, which lets you instantly look up anything on your screen. They also manage battery life in the background, learning your daily routines to ensure you don't run out of charge.
Can AI phones translate conversations and signs while travelling abroad?
Yes, modern AI smartphones can translate text, speech, and even physical street signs or menus in real-time. Because modern AI is context-aware, it understands nuances, slang, and tone much better than older translation apps. Whether you are ordering a coffee on a European holiday or collaborating with international colleagues from Ireland, on-device AI makes conversations feel seamless and natural, often without needing an active internet connection.
Can AI home appliances help reduce my energy bills?
Yes, AI appliances are designed with efficiency in mind, which can help lower your household running costs. For example, AI washing machines automatically weigh your laundry and assess fabric softness, using only the exact amount of water and electricity needed. Similarly, AI-powered smart thermostats and fridge freezers learn your household's schedule to optimise cooling and heating, reducing wasted energy.
What does an AI TV do differently than a regular Smart TV?
While a regular Smart TV simply connects to the internet to stream apps, an AI TV actively improves your viewing experience in real-time. Using an advanced AI processor, these TVs automatically upscale older content to near-4K or 8K quality, adjust screen brightness based on the lighting in your living room, and fine-tune the audio so dialogue is always clear over background noise.