Google quietly unveiled a new mobile application on June 1, 2025, tentatively named "AI Local Hub," which allows users to download and run popular open-source artificial intelligence models directly on their smartphones. This is a significant step towards democratizing AI and expanding its accessibility. The application reportedly supports models from platforms like Hugging Face, enabling experimentation with various architectures, including compact versions of large language models (LLMs) and image generation models optimized for mobile devices. A key advantage is the ability for offline AI use, which is particularly relevant in regions with limited or expensive internet access, and for tasks requiring enhanced data privacy as all processing occurs locally. This innovation is expected to spur the development of new applications with AI features that operate offline and open up new possibilities for AI researchers and enthusiasts. However, it is noted that performance and the range of available models will depend on the hardware capabilities of the specific smartphone, including processor power and RAM. Google is also likely to provide tools for developers to optimize models for its new application.
Google Releases App to Run AI Models Directly on Smartphones
