Xiaomi forms AI team to develop more leading edge products

Xiaomi Corp, which is seeking an initial public offering, has formed an artificial intelligence team with about 500 employees, the company said in a new product release conference held in Shanghai on Tuesday.

Xiaomi also released new products like its AI-featured flagship model Mi Mix 2S and a new speaker, both of which are powered by intelligent assistant Xiaoai. Among top Chinese smartphone brands, only Xiaomi has its own intelligent assistant, like Apple’s Siri and Samsung’s Bixby.

With Xiaoai, Xiaomi has collected “sufficient” database on AI application development, and increased use of AI will make Xiaomi’s AI “smarter”. To this end, Xiaomi has established a team of “400 to 500” people for AI research, Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder, said in Shanghai on Tuesday.

“Xiaomi has taken the leading position (on AI implementation) among Chinese smartphone brands, thanks to its useful assistant (Xiaoai) and data collection,” said Jia Mo, analyst at researcher Canalys, adding that Xiaomi has more devices from speakers, routers to TVs that will adopt AI applications.

Xiaomi is seeking to issue an IPO in China, which values the Beijing-based company at US$100 billion, according to Bloomberg News.