AI-powered smartphones are set to be a major trend this year as smartphone manufacturers aim to boost sales after a challenging period. Following the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022, which generated significant interest in generative AI, smartphone makers are looking to capitalize on the AI hype. The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, will showcase these AI technologies. The specific features of AI smartphones vary depending on the manufacturer, but analysts generally agree that these devices will include advanced chips for on-device AI applications. Companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek have already launched smartphone chipsets to support AI processing power. While some AI features have been present in phones for years, such as background blur effects and picture editing, the introduction of large language models and generative AI has expanded the capabilities. Large language models allow chatbots to generate images or text based on user prompts. The "on-device AI" concept is another crucial aspect, with advancements in chips and model technologies driving more AI applications to be run solely on the device rather than in the cloud.

On-device AI not only enhances security but also enables faster processing. Smartphone manufacturers envision achieving "anticipatory computing, " where AI learns user behavior to predict actions without user input. However, this new era of on-device AI is still in its early stages. While AI features will be showcased at MWC, many of these functions still rely on cloud processing. It may take several years for third-party developers to identify compelling use cases that consumers can't do without. The danger lies in emphasizing AI without demonstrating its practical benefits to users. Therefore, the fruition of the visionary AI experiences smartphone makers dream of may still be far off.