Digital convenience, fragmented attention and new creative possibilities
By Andrew Burlone
9 septembre 2026
Our phones are no longer simply communication tools: they have become assistants, address books, maps, cameras, payment methods and, increasingly, interfaces to artificial intelligence.
Canadians spend a significant portion of their day on their phones, often in short bursts: checking a schedule, replying to a message, catching up on the news, booking a ride, listening to music, working, making a purchase or looking up information. Screen time is a useful indicator, but it does not tell the whole story. An hour spent communicating with loved ones, managing a work task or reading an article does not carry the same weight as an hour of mindlessly scrolling through a social-media platform.
Today, it is not the world that fits in our hand: it is an interface to the world.
The real question, therefore, is no longer simply, “How much time do we spend on our apps?” It is also: what do they enable us to do, and under what conditions?
From Phone-as-Tool to Phone-as-Assistant
The era when a separate device was needed for every function already seems distant. With conversational assistants and generative AI tools, this evolution is taking on a new dimension. An app no longer merely displays information or carries out a command: it can summarize a text, suggest an itinerary, translate a message, organize ideas, edit an image, transcribe a conversation or help draft a document. The phone is becoming less a collection of separate apps than a gateway to services that can anticipate certain tasks and engage in dialogue with us.
This concentration of services brings real convenience. Within seconds, we can find our way, pay a bill, consult a medical record, access an electronic ticket, reach a colleague or stay in touch with loved ones far away. But that convenience also raises important questions:
- What data are we sharing in exchange for these services?
- Which platforms determine what appears in our feeds or search results?
- What happens to our attention when apps are designed to bring us back repeatedly?
- How do we preserve our autonomy when tools begin to suggest, summarize, recommend and sometimes decide on our behalf?
- How do we verify an answer generated by AI, especially when it seems plausible, polished and persuasive?
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The issue is not to reject apps or idealize a world “before.” Digital tools make life easier for millions of people, particularly in terms of accessibility, mobility, information, public services, education and maintaining social connections. Rather, the goal is to learn to use them thoughtfully: by understanding their benefits, limitations and business models.
AI Changes the Rules
For a long time, creating an app required substantial technical and financial resources. That remains true for complex projects, particularly those involving payments, health care, security or large volumes of data. However, low-code development tools, cloud services and AI are now speeding up certain stages of the process: prototyping, content writing, interface design, programming support, translation and customer service.
Digital tools make life easier for millions of people, particularly in terms of accessibility, mobility, information, public services, education and maintaining social connections.
This democratization creates tangible opportunities for small businesses, cultural organizations, local media outlets and entrepreneurs. A good idea alone, however, is not enough. A useful app must meet a clear need, respect privacy, be accessible, offer a straightforward experience and retain users’ trust. Our use of technology varies, depending on work, age, family circumstances, mobility needs and accessibility requirements. Still, it is useful to recognize that some platforms are designed to maximize interactions and extend the time we spend on screen.
Rather than feeling guilty, we can adopt a few simple habits:
- Turn off unnecessary notifications.
- Set aside certain phone-free times, especially during meals, meetings or before going to sleep.
- Review privacy settings and the permissions granted to apps.
- Use AI tools as aids to thinking or production, without giving up personal judgment.
- Take the time to verify important information, sources and automatically generated content.
- Choose apps according to their genuine usefulness, rather than their ability to capture attention.
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Mobile apps are neither neutral nor inherently harmful. They extend our capabilities, but they also influence our habits, relationships and access to information. In the age of AI, the challenge is no longer simply having the world at our fingertips; it is maintaining enough perspective to decide how we want to use it.
Featured image: Google DeepMind – Pexels
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Andrew Burlone, co-founder and editor-in-chief of WestmountMag, started his media journey at NOUS magazine. His interests include journalism and communications, with a particular appreciation for architecture, culture, visual arts, and social issues.
