Venture(US:VEMLY) Di Yi Cai Jing·2026-01-10 02:19Core Insights - The trend in AI startups is shifting from large models to lightweight models, AI agents, and on-device AI, indicating a rational return driven by cost, commercialization, and capital logic [1][2][6] - The device-side AI is emerging as a new track for startups, allowing AI to run directly on devices without relying on cloud or internet, thus ensuring data privacy and reducing costs [2][8] Group 1: Industry Trends - The previous focus on "big model wars" is declining, with a consensus forming that large models are becoming a capital-intensive competition among a few wealthy giants [6] - The cost of training large models can reach tens of millions of dollars, and the marginal costs have not decreased as expected, leading to financial pressures for startups [6][7] - Many AI startups have blindly increased model sizes without achieving significant breakthroughs, prompting a shift towards more efficient and smaller AI systems [7][8] Group 2: Device-side AI Development - Device-side AI is gaining popularity, allowing applications to run on devices like smartphones and cameras, which enhances speed and security by processing data locally [8][9] - Aizip, a startup focused on device-side AI, aims to create efficient AI models that can operate independently of cloud services, utilizing data collection, purchase, and model distillation [2][8] - Current applications for device-side AI include karaoke voice solutions and smart cameras, which can perform complex tasks locally, ensuring user privacy and real-time responses [9][10] Group 3: Future Outlook - The market for device-side AI is expected to grow as more essential applications emerge, fostering user habits and emphasizing privacy protection [10] - The demand for AI model training talent and computational resources remains high, with a notable role played by Chinese engineers in the AI wave due to their strong mathematical foundation and problem-solving abilities [10]