Pocket-size AI: Powerful phones star at China show
Chinese tech companies are developing 'agentic' smartphones capable of performing complex tasks via voice commands, though they face resistance from major apps. These platforms are blocking unauthorized access to protect their user data and control.
Why it matters
This conflict illustrates the tension between AI-driven automation and the walled-garden business models of major digital platforms.
BEIJING - Tech firms are racing to roll out advanced smartphones that use artificial intelligence to do everything from ordering food to composing messages upon a simple voice command.
The widespread adoption of phones running on so-called AI agents would be a revolution, but it would also take control away from major apps, which aren't always happy about it.
At least three firms were showcasing so-called agentic phones at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai this weekend, heralding what may be to come.
Smartphone maker Nubia unveiled its NaviX Ultra, a phone powered by Doubao, China's massively popular AI chatbot tool run by TikTok creator ByteDance.
"A new era of AI agent smartphones begins," Nubia said, sharing images of the handsets online.
A limited run of a prototype dubbed the "Doubao Phone" sold out fast in December.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in