Chinese smartphone giant Honor has announced a major push into artificial intelligence (AI), pledging a $10 billion investment over the next five years to develop AI-powered devices. The move signals the company’s ambition to expand beyond its core smartphone business into AI-driven PCs, tablets, and wearables.
Honor’s CEO, James Li, made the announcement at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, emphasizing the company’s commitment to integrating AI across its product lineup. The investment will be directed towards research and development, AI software optimization, and hardware enhancements to ensure that its devices deliver smarter, more intuitive user experiences
Since its split from Huawei in 2020, Honor has steadily regained market share, particularly in China and Europe. The company now aims to differentiate itself in the competitive tech industry by embedding AI deeply into its ecosystem.
Honor envisions AI-powered PCs, tablets, and wearables that offer advanced features such as real-time language translation, improved battery efficiency, personalized user experiences, and intelligent performance optimization.
“AI is the future of smart devices, and we want to lead in this space. Our investment will drive innovation and create a seamless AI ecosystem across multiple product categories,” said Li during his keynote speech.
Honor’s AI expansion comes at a crucial time as the company is reportedly preparing for a public listing. A significant AI push could attract investors looking for companies at the forefront of emerging technologies.
The decision to heavily invest in AI also aligns with China’s broader strategy to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. Chinese companies, including tech giants like Huawei, Baidu, and Tencent, have been making significant investments in AI research, seeking to compete with U.S. and European firms.
Despite its ambitious plans, Honor will face competition from established AI leaders like Apple, Google, and Samsung. These companies have already integrated AI into their devices, making it crucial for Honor to offer unique innovations to stand out.
Nonetheless, Honor’s $10 billion investment underscores its determination to be a major player in the AI space. If successful, the company could redefine smart devices, making them more intuitive and connected than ever before.
