Want choices for a different word? Need a theme for an event? Ideas for an exercise plan? Or how about a flattering artistic render of your profile photo? No problem, artificial intelligence (AI) tools can do this and much more. They can also transcribe your voice notes, provide detailed searches, create unique images, and act as virtual friends! 

Initially, these types of autonomous AI programs were confined to computers, but now you can also run them on your phone. We’ve scoured app stores for genuine AI software so you can enjoy the wonders of machine intelligence on your phone.  

Poe 

Poe is a fantastic, free app that gives you access to five different AI chatbots, including ChatGPT. You can register with your phone number or email, then ask one of Poe's bots for answers. They will reply with clear information and can take follow-up questions. 

Perplexity 

AI is becoming a big part of search engines, and Perplexity wants to lead that pack. Ask this alternative search program a question, and it will give a written answer. Even better, it includes citations to verify the information it gives. You don't need to register to use Perplexity, but there is a paid pro option that offers more features and access to the more advanced GPT4 AI program. 

Imagine 

Create images by writing what you want Imagine to create, select a preferred style and image size, and it does the rest! There are limits to the free version: you can only select certain styles, the final image has an Imagine watermark, and you need to watch an ad to generate an image. But it's still a fun way to experiment with image generators. 

Otter.ai 

Otter is a fantastic transcription AI that will turn conversations into words. You can upload voice recordings or speak to the app directly, and it will turn over a written transcription in just a few minutes. Otter can also join as a guest on virtual meetings and produce a written document with summaries. 

Replika 

Can an AI be your friend? Replika offers virtual companions you can chat with. Create and design a Replika and then converse as if they were real. It’s not for everyone, but many people use Replikas to battle loneliness or for a supportive ear. You can make Replikas for free and pay to unlock more advanced features (romance). 

Wonder 

Wonder is another image-generation AI that is mainly free, provided you’re okay with watching ads – and a small “Wonder” watermark on your image. It offers a range of styles, and you can also upload photos for it to modify. Wonder has a neat avatar creator, too. The app makes it easy to adjust generated images, so you can add things or change specific parts of the image while leaving the rest as is. 

Microsoft Bing

Microsoft's Bing has long struggled to make a dent in Google's search domination. But the arrival of ChatGPT is changing that, and Bing now includes a natural-language AI that you can ask questions. You can set the responses to be creative, balanced or precise, and the answers include citations of sources. The app is free, and you don't need to register, but if you do, you’ll be able to unlock advanced features. 

You’ll need a decent smartphone to run these AI apps smoothly and without problems. If you don’t have one, visit the Vodacom online shop for great deals on the latest, high-performance smartphones.