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If you’re in the know about the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro, you’re aware of their prominent AI features. Recently, the Pixel 8 Pro received an update for the integrated AI Core app, elevating its AI capabilities. This update is currently exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro, leaving the door open for speculation about its future availability on other Tensor-enabled Pixel devices.
This distinctive AI Core app doesn’t have an app icon that shows up in the app drawer or on your home screen. Instead, it operates in the background as a service, helping any app that taps into the power of artificial intelligence.
Possible additions to the Pixel 8 Pro with the AI core update
Earlier 9to5Google noticed a Google Play Store listing for the app that describes, “powers features across Android and provides apps with the latest AI models”. However, the listing has now been taken down. Possibly because Google has plans for a separate announcement for the app or its functions that you get on a Pixel device.
The exact functionalities of AI Core remain shrouded in mystery due to the absence of an official statement from Google. However, insights from the Pixel 8 Pro launch event suggest that the device runs some impressive generative AI models on-device. It enhances numerous functions like the Magic Eraser feature in Google Photos with swifter performance. This AI Core update appears to intend just that with Google’s latest on-device foundation models.
The AI features have become standard on leading smartphones. However, the extent to which AI processing occurs locally versus in the cloud varies. The AI Core app likely manages local AI processing in the Pixel 8 Pro. Supporting the AI cores with the latest GenAI models indicates more efficient processing on the latest Pixel.
Will it remain exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro?
While this update appears to be exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro as of writing this, it’s likely that Google will push the latest foundation models to at least the Pixel 8 if not older tensor-enabled Pixels in the near future.
With the chips getting powerful and efficient and the development in the AI front, this on-device AI processing strategy is also expected to reflect on devices from other manufacturers like the upcoming Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is rumored to embrace the title of the company’s first ‘AI phone.’