I read some of google's patent mentioned in the text and thought it was interesting. They basically want a connected network of devices that communicate with each other and with google. Most of the devices follow the following algorithm: watch -> think -> act -> report. What is interesting is the 'report' phase of the algorithm.

I think there is a battle between two competing AI philosophies. One philosophy thinks AI should be central: all devices need to talk to the overmind for learning. The other philosophy thinks AI should be local: the device should learn on its own, kind of like a biological agent. I think the 'biological agent' form of AI is interesting when it comes to privacy of information. Only you and the device have the data.

The future of AI should be interesting with these two philosophies in mind.