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What is Edge AI?
Edge AI is AI that runs on your own device, like a phone or camera, instead of on a faraway server.
- Category Hardware
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Edge AI, explained simply
Edge means the edge of the network, close to you. Edge AI runs right on the device in your hand or home.
The device does the thinking itself. A phone can recognize a face or turn speech to text without sending it away.
This can be faster and more private. It also works without internet, though small devices can only run smaller models.
On ITG Now, our daily AI news stories sometimes cover new phones and laptops that run AI on the device.
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Questions people ask about Edge AI
Edge AI vs cloud AI: what is the difference?
Edge AI runs on your device. Cloud AI runs on company servers and sends results back over the internet.
Is edge AI more private?
It can be, because your data may not leave the device. Check each app's privacy settings to be sure.
Does edge AI need internet?
Often not. The model is stored on the device, though some features may still connect online.