Honor brings Google Cloud-powered generative AI capabilities to its devices and shares its AI strategy

Honor has become the latest smartphone brand to join the artificial intelligence (AI) race after announcing its four-layer AI strategy and future AI integration plans at VivaTech 2024 on Wednesday. The company also announced that it will introduce generative AI capabilities using Google Cloud . However, the Chinese smartphone maker also intends to build an AI-centric UI in its Android-based MagicOS skin. The interface will be fundamentally integrated with the functionality of supporting multiple devices and operating systems, and will be further developed.

Honor’s four-layer AI architecture

During a session at the VivaTech 2024 event in Paris, Honor highlighted how it plans to integrate artificial intelligence into the MagicOS UI. This architecture will consist of four layers. At a foundational level, AI features that run across devices and operating systems will be prioritized to create an open ecosystem.

Honor’s four-layer AI architecture
Photo source: PR Newswire/Honor

The second and third layers will then focus on AI at the platform and application levels. The company claims that platform-centric AI will help create a personalized operating system, while application-level integration will enable developers to create generative AI-based applications.

Finally, the fourth and highest layer will focus on integrating AI services in the cloud. These may include company-provided features running on Honor servers or partnerships with other companies offering similar services. Notably, the smartphone maker has confirmed that it will be using Google Cloud to provide its devices with artificial intelligence features.

Honor can leverage AI features via Google Cloud

Working with Google, Honor will integrate Gemini’s cloud-based AI capabilities and extend them to its devices. While the Chinese brand did not confirm at the event whether these features would only include the Android-based AI features that the Mountain View tech giant offers or exclusive cloud-based features, a company spokesperson shed more light on it.

According to a CNBC report, a spokesperson confirmed that Honor will use Gemini AI assistant and Imagen 2 text-to-image generator. This could be a unique offering from Honor as no other smartphone brand has offered such an image generation model for existing users.

Moreover, Honor CEO George Zhao, in a statement to TechRadar, said that the company believes its four-layer AI architecture will provide an intent-based user experience that can compete with Samsung’s Galaxy AI. It is worth noting that MagicOS 8.0, which began rolling out last month, will receive this integration.