You bring up some interesting philosophical points about the nature of intelligence, but there are a few technical misconceptions here regarding how AI and modern operating systems actually function.
First, arguing that "AI = no intelligence" based on the Latin root of the word is mixing biological semantics with computer science terminology. "Artificial Intelligence" is a term of art established in the 1950s. It doesn't claim to replicate human consciousness, true understanding, or biological cognition. Rather, it refers to a system’s ability to perform tasks that traditionally require human intellect, like natural language processing, complex problem-solving, and pattern recognition. Holding software to the standard of human sentience is a category error.
On your point about control, you are absolutely right, humans must remain in the driver's seat. Fortunately, this isn't a point of contention among developers. The industry standard for responsible AI development is "Human-in-the-Loop" architecture. These systems are built to be tools for human augmentation, not autonomous entities acting on their own agency.
Regarding the integration of Gemini into Android devices, specifically mapping it to the power button, the claim that users are permanently locked into this behavior is factually incorrect. Mapping digital assistants (like Gemini, Siri, or Bixby) to the physical power button is an industry-wide shift toward "ambient computing," prioritizing quick voice access over a restart menu that most people rarely use. However, Android OS explicitly allows you to revert this. You can simply go to Settings > System > Gestures > Press & hold power button (or a similar path depending on your specific phone manufacturer) and change the default action back to the traditional Power menu. It is a changeable default, not a forced, inescapable state.
Finally, while ecosystem retention is a reality of the tech business, deep OS integration isn't just about market power or making buyers dependent. It is driven by functional necessity. A digital assistant cannot operate effectively if it is siloed in a standalone app; it requires system-level access to set your alarms, read on-screen context, interact with smart home devices, and draft messages seamlessly. The integration exists because the tools require it to actually assist you, not solely to force dependency.