Laughter echoes through the corridors of innovation as artificial intelligence (AI) seeps into the fabric of mobile apps. Gone are the days when AI was considered a futuristic concept; today, it's an integral part of our digital lives. As Windows, Apple, and Android push their own layers of "embedded AI" into the system, Linux distributions are not far behind. In fact, they're leading the charge.
AI in Mobile Apps: A New Era of Innovation
Linux, the invisible pillar of much of the world's infrastructure, has been quietly dominating the cloud. From servers and supercomputers to most cloud services, Linux is the unsung hero that powers our digital lives. This open-source operating system has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1991 as a personal project by Linus Torvalds.
Fast-forward two decades, and Microsoft's Satya Nadella has transformed the company's stance on Linux. Today, Linux is the most used operating system on Azure, with over 60% of virtual machine kernels running on it. The commitment to Linux is so strong that Microsoft maintains its own kernel, Azure Linux, designed for its workloads and services.
Open Source and AI: A Match Made in Heaven
The decentralized collaborative model dominates software innovation, and AI is no exception. As AI algorithms continue to evolve, open models are becoming the norm. This shift allows developers to build solutions around these algorithms, driving innovation forward.
However, there's a tension between business and community. Major players like Meta and Mistral release successive versions of their language models, touting them as open-source, but with restrictions and licensing nuances that raise eyebrows. The question remains: where is the real value in the AI chain?
The Rise of Vertical AI Solutions
The answer lies in vertical artificial intelligences tailored to specific business problems or contexts. Linux and open source provide fertile ground for these solutions to emerge. By leveraging the flexibility and omnipresence of Linux, developers can create "vertical" AI solutions that capture long-term value.
A New Vision for Linux Distributions: Native AI for End Users
While Windows Copilot Plus and Android's "smart layers" aim to embed AI in the operating system, a new vision has emerged: a Linux distribution designed from scratch around AI, geared towards consumer laptops and tablets. This native AI distro breaks with traditional views of many distributions, treating Linux as a neutral substrate where users build their environment.
Instead, it offers fluid intelligence integrated into every interaction – from camera and audio to the terminal. The system is delivered as a cohesive set of decisions, not just an assistant in the top bar. This concept has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with our devices.