UK-based tech firm Nothing has announced plans to integrate ChatGPT into its smartphones and earbuds as the company looks to embrace artificial intelligence.

The company said the integration would offer “instant access” to the generative AI chatbot directly from its devices.

It comes as an increasing number of tech devices start to embrace AI, often as a companion or assistant for users, amid rapid innovation in the sector driven by chatbot apps such as ChatGPT.

However, the rollout of AI-powered gadgets has not been without its issues in recent weeks.

Nothing is taking a different approach to introducing more powerful AI tools to users by integrating it into existing and well-known devices such as phones and earbuds, rather than new types of devices altogether.

The company made its announcement as it unveiled its two new sets of earphones, Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a), which will go on sale from April 20 at the firm’s London store, and April 22 elsewhere.

On integrating AI into its products, the company said the new update would enable users to access ChatGPT directly using voice controls on their earbuds, or using new shortcuts being added to its smartphone operating system.

“Through the new integration, users with the latest Nothing OS and ChatGPT installed on their Nothing phones will be able to pinch-to-speak to the most popular consumer AI tool in the world directly from Nothing earbuds, including the newly launched Ear and Ear (a),” the company said in a blog post.

“Nothing will also improve the Nothing smartphone user experience in Nothing OS by embedding system-level entry points to ChatGPT, including screenshot sharing and Nothing-styled widgets.”

Nothing founder Carl Pei said the move was “our first steps towards change, and there’s more to come”.