TL;DR:
- Oppo intensifies AI research to stay competitive in the smartphone industry.
- Developing its proprietary large language model (LLM), AndesGPT.
- Challenges lie in localizing LLMs on mobile phones without reliance on cloud computing.
- Exploring multi-modal models and computer vision tech for potential integration.
- Vivo, Huawei, and Xiaomi are also racing to implement ChatGPT-like AI in their devices.
- Oppo collaborates with global tech start-ups to infuse innovation into their products.
Main AI News:
Oppo, the Chinese smartphone giant, is making a strategic pivot towards generative artificial intelligence (AI). As smartphone manufacturers vie to incorporate ChatGPT-like functionalities into their devices, Oppo is seizing the opportunity to lead the charge.
At the forefront of this transformation is Oppo’s relentless investment in generative AI, encompassing the development of their proprietary large language model (LLM) known as AndesGPT. Jason Liao, President of Oppo Research Institute, affirmed that the company’s research and engineering teams, spanning both hardware and software, are fully committed to advancing this initiative.
Liao emphasized, “We hold a positive outlook on the forthcoming integration of AI and LLM applications within smartphones.” These LLMs, characterized by their deep learning capabilities and extensive datasets, have already revolutionized conversational AI, enabling chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT to comprehend and generate human-like text.
Nonetheless, Liao acknowledges a crucial hurdle that must be surmounted: the computational power required to execute LLMs locally on mobile phones, eliminating the need for constant internet connectivity to access cloud resources.
In their pursuit of technological excellence, Oppo’s research institute is exploring multi-modal models and computer vision technologies, envisioning their potential applications within Oppo’s product ecosystem. Computer vision, a cutting-edge AI technology, empowers the recognition and comprehension of objects and individuals within images and videos.
Oppo, which has solidified its position as the world’s fourth-largest smartphone vendor, as per Canalys data for the third quarter, introduced AndesGPT in August. This move aims to enhance their Siri-like voice assistant, Xiaobu, enabling more engaging interactions with users.
The tech world was shaken when Microsoft-backed OpenAI unleashed ChatGPT late last year, setting off a race among Chinese smartphone manufacturers to incorporate ChatGPT-like functionalities into their offerings. In a market as competitive as smartphones, ChatGPT is increasingly viewed as a potential game-changer, especially in regions where it is not readily accessible.
Rival Vivo recently announced plans to launch its AI model within its new operating system, OriginOS 4. Huawei Technologies integrated its AI model, Pangu, into the latest version of HarmonyOS in August. Xiaomi’s founder, Lei Jun, also unveiled a ChatGPT-like service featuring the voice assistant Xiaoai in the same month.
Not content with internal innovation alone, Oppo is actively seeking fresh ideas from global tech start-ups. In a recent move, Oppo awarded grants of US$50,000 to each of the five winning entrepreneur teams in its Inspiration Challenge. Among these winners are Aiverest, a Chinese firm working on contactless health monitoring technology, and Orbit, a US-based company specializing in 3D-tracking technology.
These winning firms now have the opportunity to collaborate with Oppo, potentially paving the way for the integration of their cutting-edge technologies into Oppo’s product lineup. Notably, Shenzhen Aibaowi Biotechnology, a previous winner, saw its blood glucose monitoring technology incorporated into Oppo’s smartwatch series, showcasing the real-world impact of such collaborations.
Conclusion:
Oppo’s strategic focus on generative AI, spearheaded by AndesGPT, signifies a bold step toward dominating the smartphone market. While facing challenges in local computing power, Oppo’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with start-ups positions them as a formidable player in the evolving landscape of AI-powered smartphones, further intensifying competition among industry giants.
