ai news :- Flower Labs launches a new service that automatically switches from local to cloud AI

 Flower Labs Unveils Flower Intelligence: A Hybrid AI Platform for On-Device and Cloud Computing

Flower Labs, a Y Combinator-backed startup, has introduced a preview of its innovative distributed cloud platform for serving AI models, known as Flower Intelligence. This cutting-edge platform, announced on Tuesday, is already being utilized by Mozilla to power the upcoming Assist summarization add-on for its Thunderbird email client.

A Hybrid Approach to AI

What sets Flower Intelligence apart is its ability to seamlessly integrate on-device AI across mobile, PC, and web applications while dynamically transitioning to a private cloud when additional computational power is required. According to Flower Labs' post on X, this handoff process is conducted with the user’s permission, ensuring privacy and security.

By default, Flower Intelligence runs AI models locally for enhanced speed and privacy. When more intensive processing is needed, the system shifts to Flower's cloud infrastructure. This hybrid approach mirrors strategies adopted by tech giants like Microsoft and Apple but distinguishes itself by exclusively using open-source AI models.

The platform supports a diverse range of open models, including those from Meta’s Llama family, Chinese AI lab DeepSeek, and Mistral, enabling a flexible and transparent AI ecosystem.

Emphasizing Privacy and Security

Flower Labs emphasizes robust security through its Flower Confidential Remote Compute service. This service incorporates end-to-end encryption and other advanced techniques to safeguard user data. Ryan Sipes, managing director for Mozilla Thunderbird, highlighted that Flower Intelligence empowers Mozilla to deploy on-device AI that "works locally with the most sensitive data."

This focus on privacy aligns with growing industry demands for secure AI solutions, particularly as concerns around data security continue to escalate.

Early Access and Future Plans

Developers can now apply for early access to Flower Intelligence. Flower Labs plans to expand access soon and introduce additional features, including model customization, fine-tuning, and federated learning in the cloud.

To showcase its advancements, Flower Labs will host an online and in-person summit in London on March 26, where it promises to unveil further details and capabilities of Flower Intelligence.

A Growing Force in AI Innovation

Since its founding in 2023, Flower Labs has rapidly gained traction, securing approximately $23.6 million in venture capital. Notable investors include Felicis, Hugging Face CEO Clem Delangue, Betaworks, and Pioneer Fund. Additionally, Brave, the open-source web browser, was an early collaborator and continues to play a role in the development of Flower Intelligence.

Flower Intelligence positions Flower Labs as a key player in the evolving AI landscape, offering a powerful, privacy-focused solution that bridges on-device performance with cloud scalability. As the platform evolves, it promises to provide developers and enterprises with new possibilities for deploying and managing AI workloads efficiently and securely.