Have you ever experienced moments like these:

Typing on your phone often results in typos, and you end up deleting and retyping constantly; or when chatting with friends, you're still typing slowly, while they've already typed out line after line; even with auto-correction and prediction features, the input method often fails to grasp your intended meaning…

For those who frequently switch between apps in a minute, having an AI input method that is accurate, efficient, and understands you becomes crucial.

While you've heard of and used AI, chances are you've had to jump between apps repeatedly to utilize AI's full potential. For example, to generate content with AI, you'd first need to open an AI-powered app, input instructions, obtain the desired content, copy it into a text editor, and then paste it into another app. This repetitive process, coupled with the varying formats and emojis across platforms, hardly seems to save much time and may give the impression that AI isn't all that smart.

But things are changing!

Take the "iFLYTEK Input Method" I'm currently using as an example. It embodies the ideal AI-powered input method, continuously enhancing my typing efficiency with AI capabilities. Today, I came across its brand-new version 14.0, which not only understands me but seemingly understands everyone who uses it. The nuances of generative AI input have finally been appreciated by me!

I. An AI Input Method that Continuously Evolves

In the smartphone era, input methods serve as both communication tools and important assistants for boosting productivity.

As AI large models gain prominence, input methods, being essential for human-computer interaction on the consumer side and with hundreds of millions of users, have naturally become products infiltrated by AI large models. AI-powered input methods have also become testbeds for these large models.

In 2024, WeChat Input Method updated its AI features, Baidu Input Method upgraded its "Super Writing" capabilities, and Sogou Input Method introduced AI-assisted writing. In fact, iFLYTEK Input Method fully embraced large models as early as 2023, ushering in the era of generative AI input, pioneering the creation of generative AI input methods, and launching the "Vibrant Vision" tailored for generative AI input. This new product exemplifies the shift from input to generative expression and from a tool to an assistant service.

Nowadays, we aspire for AI to be at our beck and call anytime, anywhere, even without an internet connection. We also want AI to seamlessly switch between different personas when chatting with bosses, close friends, or strangers on social platforms. Furthermore, we yearn for our phone keyboards to function as versatile as computers loaded with AI plugins. These aspirations pose higher demands on AI input methods.

The need for more efficient and personalized generative AI input methods with enhanced input experiences is evident.

At this year's iFLYTEK 1024 Developer Festival, iFLYTEK Input Method unveiled its brand-new version 14.0, reshaping expression through AI and embarking on a journey to "become everyone's AI input solution."

II. iFLYTEK Input Method: Where's the Novelty in its AI Integration?

In reality, many mainstream input methods began exploring AI capabilities as early as 2023.

This year, with AI large model technologies underpinning their operations, input methods have integrated even more AI features. iFLYTEK Input Method, on the other hand, has elevated its AI capabilities from the cloud to the device side, making AI input more accessible to the masses.

Whether you're concerned about cloud-based large models compromising your privacy, find their pricing thresholds too steep, or want to reduce latency and access AI anytime, anywhere, device-side large models are a superior choice. The iFLYTEK AI Input Method 14.0, powered by iFLYTEK Spark's device-side input large model, boasts a higher AI content and offers a more user-friendly experience.

Firstly, the interface is cleaner, and input is more accurate.

Last year, iFLYTEK Input Method 13.0 introduced the innovative "Vibrant Vision" design, breaking away from traditional input method candidate bars and menus. Users can unlock various expressive styles by endlessly scrolling down.

The new version of iFLYTEK Input Method boasts a more visually vibrant appearance, maintaining the classic flat and minimalist style while also expressing related features in a tangible manner, achieving a harmonious blend of aesthetics and pragmatism.

In addition to the all-new customizable card design, it incorporates rich dynamic effects, making the experience brimming with vitality.

Moreover, iFLYTEK Input Method 14.0 is more than just visually appealing;

Let's be honest, how many of us still type word-for-word on our phones? And how many of us often make typos due to inflexible fingers, leading to repeated deletions and retyping of even simple sentences?

Now, with the enhancement of iFLYTEK Spark's device-side input large model, iFLYTEK Input Method simplifies and streamlines the input process through AI.

When engaging in a conversation with a friend and struggling to find the right words, AI-enhanced sentence prediction can discern your intended meaning and suggest follow-up dialogue. When typing just a few words, AI-enhanced auto-completion and sentence prediction understand your thoughts, acting as your digital alter ego and helping you articulate your ideas flawlessly.

After using the enhanced iFLYTEK Input Method, I had the illusion that I could simply keep pressing the auto-complete suggestions with my eyes closed.

What if you prefer not to type? No worries. iFLYTEK Input Method's built-in AI voice input is equally smart and reliable. Even in elevators with weak network signals, underground parking garages without internet access, or remote mountainous regions, offline voice input works seamlessly, with recognition accuracy comparable to online input.

Wait, there's more!

At the iFLYTEK 1024 Developer Festival, the latest advancements in iFLYTEK Spark's voice large model were announced, and this new technology will soon be gradually integrated into iFLYTEK Input Method 14.0. This means the input method will recognize over 200 dialects, all within a single "Dialect-Free Switching" mode, with noticeably improved recognition accuracy. Whether you're a Sichuanese auntie, a Northeasterner, a Shanghainese uncle, or a Suzhou maiden, you can freely converse with the input method in your native dialect. The variety of dialect voice recognition is truly impressive!

Who can relate? I'm eagerly anticipating this!

Not only is iFLYTEK Input Method more accurate and efficient, but it also understands you better.

To make chat scenarios more lively, iFLYTEK Input Method has become "everyone's AI assistant," covering a wider range of scenarios, serving more specific user groups, and offering diverse and entertaining features.

Take my experience as an example; writing travel blogs is no longer a daunting task. Whether sharing your trip on Xiaohongshu, WeChat Moments, short videos, or other platforms, the AI assistant adapts its content style to suit each application seamlessly.

Now, chatting with your crush doesn't require consulting your closest friends; the AI-trained "Love Strategist" provides ample advice and matches you with different personas tailored to your gender, relationship stage, and preferences, adding points to your chat game.

Not just for romantic pursuits, daily chats can also feature a variety of personas, ranging from innocent lovers to sarcastic commentators, to witty retorters and even emulating the sophisticated speech of Empress Dowager Cixi. There's sure to be one that suits you!

Chatting is no longer just about exchanging words; each message carries emotion and context.

If you enjoy having fun, you can even DIY your own persona, giving your input method a unique soul. When recommending your favorite time-travel short series, why not cosplay as "Auntie Wang the Nanny," with each emotion expressed in her distinctive manner?

I never imagined AI input methods had evolved to this extent!

III. What Drives iFLYTEK's Leadership in AI Input Methods?

Rome wasn't built in a day, and iFLYTEK has long been a frontrunner in AI.

In the generative AI era of 2023, iFLYTEK Input Method pioneered the release of the "AI Creation Assistant" based on the Spark large model. Furthermore, empowered by a customized cognitive large model for input methods, iFLYTEK Input Method first defined "generative AI input methods," striving towards "intelligent expression" and "smart connectivity."

In 2024, the AI industry exhibited new trends, with the cloud-based large model era rapidly transitioning to the device-side large model era. Global manufacturers actively embraced "device-side generative AI." Standing at the forefront of this trend, iFLYTEK Input Method officially unveiled its device-side input large model, offering a comprehensive solution tailored to users' evolving needs.

It's well-known that AI possesses myriad capabilities, but how can these be harnessed in handheld apps like input methods? iFLYTEK Input Method provides the optimal solution. From the current technical roadmap and application trends, the capabilities of iFLYTEK Spark's device-side input large model are not achieved overnight but are continually evolving.

Against this backdrop, iFLYTEK Input Method 14.0 innovates with a pluggable AI engine architecture, characterized by "flexibility," "wide coverage," and "intelligent integration." Simply put, it supports "plug-and-play" integration of various AI models of different structures and sizes, seamlessly adapts to devices with varying performance capabilities, enabling more users to access localized AI capabilities. Additionally, it supports multi-model fusion to optimize input results, enhancing the input experience for a broader audience.

iFLYTEK Input Method has consistently demonstrated remarkable innovation since its launch in 2010, undergoing 14 iterations in 14 years.

As the industry's technological frontrunner, iFLYTEK Input Method boasts a robust market presence.

According to Mob Research, a big data research and consulting firm, the release of its "2024 China Third-Party Input Method Industry Insights" reveals that as we enter the "Model-as-a-Service" era, major input method providers have integrated AI large models to drive the evolution of "AI Input Methods." iFLYTEK Input Method consistently ranks among the industry leaders, with both user growth and growth rate topping the charts.

Words are the cloak of thought, and the ability to express oneself effectively is a passport to successful social interactions.

In the digital age, every word, symbol, and emoji we type on our phones, computers, smart screens, and IoT devices concretizes our digital identity.

As AI input services like iFLYTEK Input Method continue to evolve, breaking scene limitations, and becoming more convenient, accurate, efficient, and user-centric, they redefine our input experiences and empower our expressions through AI reconstruction.

Perhaps, your next social opening line might be, "Hey, want to relax and chat about something fun?"