Confused By Modern Tech Jargon? You Are Not Alone

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Modern technology has a vocabulary problem.

New terms appear faster than anyone can reasonably keep up. They are dropped into product launches, app updates, headlines, and conversations as if everyone already agreed on what they mean. Most people nod along. Very few stop to ask.

Here are some of the most common and confusing tech terms people are hearing right now, explained in plain language.

Artificial Intelligence vs Generative AI

Artificial intelligence is the broad idea. It refers to software designed to perform tasks that usually require human judgement, such as recognising patterns, making predictions, or understanding language.

Generative AI is a specific category within that. It creates things. Text, images, audio, video, code.

If AI is the concept, generative AI is the part that writes emails, generates pictures, and answers questions in full sentences.

On Device AI

This one sounds impressive and vague for a reason.

On device AI means the processing happens directly on your phone, laptop, or tablet, instead of being sent to a company’s servers.

In practice, it usually means faster responses, some features working without internet, and slightly better privacy—because data does not always leave your device.

It does not mean your phone has suddenly become sentient.

Cloud Based vs Local Processing

Cloud based processing means your data is sent to remote servers owned by a company. That is where the heavy work happens.

Local processing means your device does the work itself.

Most modern apps use a mix of both. The confusion comes from marketing that implies one approach is always better. It depends on speed, cost, privacy, and what the task actually is.

End To End Encryption

This term is often mentioned in messaging apps and security updates.

End to end encryption means only the sender and receiver can read the message. Not the app company. Not advertisers. Not someone intercepting the data.

It does not mean that messages cannot be screenshotted, the person you send it to cannot share it, or that you are anonymous.

It simply protects the message in transit.

Metadata

Metadata is data about data.

For example, a photo’s metadata includes time, location, device. A message’s metadata includes who sent it and when, not what it says.

Many privacy debates focus on metadata because even without content, patterns can still be revealing.

Subscription Fatigue

Subscription fatigue is not a technical feature. It describes the feeling that everything now requires a monthly fee. Software, media, storage, even basic features that used to be one time purchases.

It explains why people are more selective, not because they hate technology, but because they are tired of recurring costs.

Dark Patterns

Dark patterns are design choices meant to push users into actions they might not otherwise take.

Examples include:

The term has become more common as regulators and users pay closer attention to how apps influence behaviour.

Interoperability

Interoperability means different systems working together.

In simple terms, it is the difference between being locked into one ecosystem and being able to move data, messages, or files between platforms.

This word appears often in discussions about regulation, messaging apps, and digital competition.

None of these terms are inherently complicated. What makes them confusing is how rarely they are explained when introduced.

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