Good Direction

Like many I have many reasons not to like Google but allowing users to download and run a variety of open-source AI models directly on their smartphones, without needing an internet connection is great news. The app, currently available for Android (with iOS coming soon), lets users access models from platforms like Hugging Face to perform tasks such as image generation, question answering, and code writing, all processed locally on the device’s hardware. I only hope there's no catch. If this is even somewhat workable, it would represent a shift toward making AI more accessible, private, and customizable by empowering users to run advanced models locally, rather than relying on cloud-based services. 

While that is generally good for users, they have to take on more risk. If they run sensitive or private data through these models, and if their device is not secure, that could present it's own kind of problems. A fully air-gapped device could help. There is also the bad actor problem (though they have plenty of options already). Running AI models locally makes it easier to bypass safety controls and use AI for generating harmful content, coding malicious software, spreading misinformation, or enabling scams and illegal activity. The lack of centralized moderation and the potential for model jailbreaking and adversarial attacks significantly expand the risk surface for misuse. In this instance all of that could happen from a phone which is convenient. 

One can hope Google had some altruistic intentions here beyond trying to apply breaks on the cloud based contenders who are getting ready to eat its ads and search lunches.