The past decade has witnessed an explosion in Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases. From facial recognition software to virtual assistants, AI is rapidly reshaping our digital world.
However, most of this AI processing power has resided in the public cloud, requiring a broadband internet connection and raising concerns about personal data privacy.
This deployment model is about to evolve. The future of AI is the ability to function directly on our devices, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research.
On-Device AI Market Development
The research predicts a significant growth in AI chipset shipments, reaching over 1.3 billion units by 2030. This surge signifies a critical shift towards on-device AI, empowering smartphones, PCs, tablets, and other gadgets with the ability to process AI tasks locally.
This transition is driven by two key factors. Firstly, smartphone and PC vendors are prioritizing the development of chipsets specifically designed for on-device AI, particularly Generative AI (GenAI) which is capable of creating entirely new digital content assets.
Secondly, the emergence of heterogeneous AI chipsets has proven highly effective in handling diverse AI workloads. These chipsets distribute user tasks between the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), optimizing AI performance and efficiency.
The benefits of on-device AI are significant. Reduced reliance on cloud computing translates to faster response times and improved user experience, especially in situations with limited or unreliable broadband internet connectivity.
Additionally, on-device GenAI offers greater control over sensitive user data, addressing privacy concerns that have previously plagued public cloud-based AI solutions.
The impact of on-device AI will be felt across various industries. In the smartphone market, AI chipsets will enable features like enhanced facial recognition, real-time language translation, and superior camera functionality.
For PC users, on-device AI will translate to more powerful video editing tools, improved performance in creative applications, and potentially even hyper-realistic digital gaming experiences.
Android or iOS media tablets will now benefit from faster response times and more intuitive user interfaces powered by on-device AI chipsets, making them even more competitive in the productivity and entertainment sectors.
Moreover, the digital gaming industry stands to gain significant advantages from on-device AI as well. AI-powered chipsets can enable more realistic and immersive gaming environments with advanced character interactions and lifelike physical simulations.
Additionally, on-device AI can personalize gameplay difficulty and adapt to individual player preferences, creating a truly tailored and immersive gaming experience.
Outlook for On-Device AI Applications Growth
Looking ahead, the market outlook for on-device AI chipsets is overwhelmingly positive. ABI Research predicts an exponential compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this sector. This growth will be fueled by several key factors, including:
- The increasing demand for AI-powered features across consumer electronics: As users become accustomed to the benefits of AI, the demand for devices equipped with on-device AI capabilities will continue to grow.
- Advancements in AI chip design: Continued innovation in AI chip architecture and fabrication will result in even more powerful and efficient chipsets, further accelerating use case adoption.
- The falling cost of powerful AI chipsets: As production scales up, the cost of AI chipsets is expected to decrease, making them more accessible to a wider range of low-cost personal devices.
By harnessing the power of GenAI directly on our personal devices, we can unlock a new wave of innovation, improve the user experience, and apply more intelligent software tools in our daily lives.
"We believe productivity AI applications can reduce refresh cycles of smartphones, notebooks, and desktops – as well as other AI applications in tablets and gaming consoles – and provide the incentive to bring about this uptick in demand," said Paul Schell, industry analyst at ABI Research.
That said, I believe understanding the growth implications of on-device AI apps is crucial for my advisory consulting practice. Identifying potential market opportunities, navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, and advising clients on strategic partnerships with proven GenAI vendors will be key to future success.