• Jolla is jockeying to insert itself into this buzzy conversation by putting the focus squarely on privacy and security — since the assistive data processing will take place on the AI device itself.
  • The AI device won’t need special mobile hardware to function. The goal is for this to piggyback on top of mainstream mobile platforms.

Jolla, a Finnish mobile phone startup, is making waves at the Mobile World Congress 2024 with a new AI device that aims to revolutionize the intersection of privacy, data processing, and artificial intelligence. The company, which has resurged with around 40 experienced staff members, is positioning itself as a pioneer in the AI space, focusing on privacy and security in the age of generative AI.

The private and secure AI device

The device, tentatively named Jolla Mind², is designed to serve as a private and secure “blackbox for your life,” functioning as a private-cloud-cum-AI-router that processes user data for AI queries within the device itself. The goal is to offer advanced AI capabilities without compromising user privacy, addressing concerns about the increasing concentration of personal information and the potential risks associated with it.

Also read: Samsung integrates Google’s generative AI in S24 series

The significance of privacy in the AI era

Antti Saarnio, co-founder of Jolla, emphasizes the significance of privacy in the AI era, asserting that the new AI models and data mining capabilities change the game when it comes to processing personal information. By housing all private data within the device itself, Jolla aims to empower users with advanced AI while safeguarding their privacy from third-party access.

Also read: Top 5 most exciting AI products from CES 2024

Jolla’s mission to empower users with advanced AI

This move represents a significant shift for Jolla, known for its alternative, Linux-based Sailfish OS platform in the past. Saarnio, who played a pivotal role in reclaiming the business from majority Russian owner Rostelecom, is determined to steer the company towards new frontiers in AI innovation. The upcoming AI device, which is expected to be priced below €300, is intended to offer advanced AI processing capabilities to mid-tier mobile phones, potentially breathing new life into older smartphones.

Anticipation builds for Jolla’s official AI product launch

With the official announcement of Jolla’s first AI product scheduled for May 20, the industry is eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the Jolla Mind² and its potential impact on the mobile technology landscape. As the company gears up for a pre-ordering campaign and eventual product shipment later this year, the spotlight is on Jolla’s reinvigorated mission to reshape the future of AI and privacy in the mobile industry.