What is the common symbol for AI?

A series of large technology companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft or OpenAI. are all racing on the generative AI race with their own AI systems. These companies all have logos for their AI tools, but most are considered difficult to become common symbols.

The AI ​​logos of these companies come in many shapes and sizes. ChatGPT's is a 'black hole', Meta AI's is a multicolored circle, Google Gemini's is a stylized rhombus, and Microsoft Copilot's is a multicolored but "confusing" image. However, these icons do not immediately indicate that it is an AI tool, nor do they demonstrate universality such as the upload/down arrow, the magnifying glass icon in search, and the letter logo for email.

For example, an email logo with an image of an envelope easily gives users an easy-to-understand, easy-to-imagine feeling of a letter, or an arrow pointing up to show uploading and down to indicate downloading, calling. Cloud math with a cloud drawing with a downward arrow.

Until now, AI is still new to many people and is considered "a very general category". Companies that provide AI products don't want to be specific because doing so would mean they would imply certain things that AI can and cannot do.

However, choosing a "representative face" for their AI model is something that companies are still forced to do.

Most AI logos are colorful, except OpenAI chose a simple black dot for ChatGPT. They may not contain much meaning, but they create a sense of playfulness and approachability.

So the symbol representing AI will continue to be vague until it is more clearly defined.

Marvin Fry

Update 29 June 2024