Google has quietly released an app that can be downloaded locally to run AI models

Last week, Google quietly launched an app that allows users to run a range of open-source AI models from Hugging Face, an artificial intelligence development platform, on their phones. The app, called the Google AI Edge Gallery, is now available on Android, with iOS version coming soon. The app allows users to find, download, and run compatible models for image generation, question answering, code writing, and editing. These models support offline operation, without the need for an Internet connection, directly calling the processor of the supported phone. AI models running in the cloud are usually more powerful than on-premises models, but there are also disadvantages. Some users may be hesitant to send sensitive personal data to a remote data center, or wish to use the model in an environment without Wi-Fi or mobile networks.