China’s leading search engine company, Baidu, has announced its partnership with tech giant Lenovo to incorporate Baidu’s generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology into Lenovo smartphones. This collaboration is in line with Baidu’s ongoing efforts to find practical applications for its AI model. Lenovo joins other phone manufacturers, including Samsung and Honor, in adopting Baidu’s Ernie large language model (LLM). Ernie is already integrated into Lenovo’s personal computers and tablets' browser and app store applications.
The demand for smartphones that offer generative AI features like chatbots and real-time translation has been steadily increasing since the popularity of AI technology’s ChatGPT in late 2022. Google’s Pixel phones and robust cloud-based AI are considered leaders in the AI smartphone market, while Apple is reportedly working on bringing generative AI models to the iPhone. Research firm Canalys predicts that 5% of smartphones shipped globally in 2024, accounting for approximately 60 million devices, will support AI capabilities.
However, AI services offered by US companies like OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and Google are not available in China, allowing Chinese firms to dominate the market. Baidu’s top rivals, Alibaba and Tencent, along with leading Chinese smartphone brands such as Vivo, Xiaomi, and Huawei, are also working on developing their own AI models for smartphones. While details about their projects remain undisclosed, the competition is fierce.
Baidu’s CEO, Robin Li, emphasized the importance of developing practical applications for AI last November. The collaboration with Lenovo not only positions Baidu as a formidable player in the AI smartphone arena but also provides the company with access to a wealth of data, helping its LLM catch up to AI companies in the US. Ivan Lam, an analyst at research firm Counterpoint, believes that adapting LLM for smartphones is an opportune moment to promote AI-powered features, which could eventually become essential for consumers.
As the AI smartphone market continues to expand, bolstered by partnerships with leading phone manufacturers, Baidu’s collaboration with Lenovo signifies a strategic move to stay ahead in the race for AI dominance. With the immense potential offered by generative AI features, it is evident that AI smartphones are not merely a passing trend but rather a critical component of the future of mobile technology.
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