Tech leaders gather at the AI Creators Conference in Beijing, Oct. 30, 2024. [Photo courtesy of the organizer]

The AI Creators Conference, hosted by Chinese tech media company Pingwest, convened Wednesday in Beijing's Zhongguancun subdistrict to explore practical applications of artificial intelligence.

Pingwest founder Luo Yihang introduced this year's theme, "AI for Real," emphasizing how AI can enhance daily life and provide practical services. The event spotlighted AI applications in mobile phones and VR glasses, drawing industry leaders, including Vivo Vice President Zhou Wei and Xreal founder Xu Chi.

Zhou detailed Vivo's journey since launching its Global Research Institute in 2018, which is dedicated to integrating AI technology with smartphones. In 2023, the company introduced BlueLM, its proprietary technology designed to enhance AI-smartphone integration for improved user interaction and personalized services.

Zhou emphasized that smartphones act as a bridge between people and the digital world, describing them as potential personal butlers. He outlined five key AI agent capabilities: perceiving user intentions, sharing experiences and memories, assisting in decision-making, autonomously operating applications and managing user affairs.

These AI-powered devices will offer proactive intelligence and personalized services. Smartphones will be able to understand various languages, including minority ones, recognize speakers' emotions and take autonomous actions like restaurant reservations, according to Zhou.

The Vivo executive described the shift as "services finding people" instead of "people finding services."

In June this year, the National Guide on the Construction of Comprehensive Standardization System for the Artificial Intelligence Industry (2024) was jointly published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Standardization Administration of China.

The guide emphasizes standardizing evaluation methods for AI products while promoting the integration of large language models into practical applications. Zhou said smartphone manufacturers, including Vivo, will discuss in November how to establish industry standards for integrating AI agents into smartphones, aiming to facilitate collaborative innovation.

Xreal founder Xu Chi shared his vision for AR glasses at the conference, predicting they could replace smartphones as the primary terminal device within a decade. While current models lag behind smartphones in efficiency, AI integration will simplify their use.

Xu envisions future AR glasses with AI assistants providing personalized support and services, aligning with Vivo's approach. Xu compared the concept to "Iron Man's suit," where users control their AI assistant through simple hand gestures.