Huawei launches open platform to facilitate AI development

At the third Huawei Eco-connect Europe conference, Huawei launched HiAI 2.0, an open platform designed to facilitate the development of On-Device artificial intelligence (AI).

HiAI is Huawei’s AI engine that aims to power applications on the new P20 mobile, giving users an experience that contains some of the most exciting artificial intelligence capabilities on the planet. But more importantly, it will also open up new opportunities for mobile developers and machine learning engineers. Engineers can now download the Driver Development Kit (DDK), IDE and SDK to begin using HiAI.

The latest iteration of the platform provides developers with an open ecosystem that lets them tap into the capabilities of Huawei’s chipsets, devices and cloud via HiAI Foundation, HiAI Engine and HiAI Service.

Lu Wenyu, Chief AI Expert of Product Management Department, Huawei Consumer Business Group, said, “In April 2018, Huawei announced HiAI 1.0, a mobile AI computing platform. By providing developers with operators and APIs, the inaugural platform helped cut down the time and complexity of app development. HiAI 2.0 will bring with it even greater computing power, richer APIs and better support across a wider range of devices. It’ll significantly lower the barrier to entry of AI development, allowing even more developers join in and create exciting new apps for consumers.

Related: Huawei launches EMUI 9.0

Huawei HiAI 2.0 Facilitates AI App Development

The new HiAI platform offers developers greater access to the capabilities of Huawei’s chipsets, devices and cloud. It includes the HiAI Foundation, HiAI Engine and HiAI Service, which work in concert to serve the myriad needs of developers.

• HiAI Foundation provides developers access to chipset capabilities such as support for multiple frameworks and operators, as well as high computational capabilities. The HiAI platform leverages the capabilities of Kirin 980 and its Dual-NPU to realize double image recognition speed compared to its predecessor, or up to 4,500 images per minute. It also supports a greater number of developer models and operators, creating an environment whereby AI apps can run smoother and deliver a better user experience.
• HiAI Engine provides apps engineers on the market with more choices. The APIs provided on the platform let developers quickly integrate key features into their projects and focus their efforts on delivering a truly compelling product. One of the most recent examples of HiAI Engine at work can be found on the recently launched HUAWEI Mate 20 Series. Using the flagship devices’ AI Spotlight Reel, a feature that can identify clips that all feature a character and auto-generate a 10 second montage. This feature is using face recognition and aesthetic scores provided by AI Engine. Benefit from the improvement of HiAI computing power, enabling AI Engine to complete automatic editing on the mobile phone.
• HiAI Service establishes a bridge between users’ needs and services. By connecting the two, developers can push services to consumers in a timely and proactive manner.

To date, there are more than 1,000 partners and 450,000 developers actively working within the Huawei HiAI ecosystem and empowering more than 300 million users with AI capabilities.

Under the HiAI program, Huawei operates 13 R&D centers and 2 Open Labs around the world to collaborate with local developers on app development.

Edited by Neo Sesinye
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