Edge AI in 2026 typically means running AI inference (often agents) on hardware physically close to the data source — homes, offices, factory floors, vehicles. Overlapping but distinct from pocket AI: edge AI emphasises proximity to data, pocket AI emphasises hardware ownership and portability. The same Raspberry Pi 5 can be both, depending on framing.
Deeper reading
Related terms
Found a definition that's wrong, dated or could be sharper? Email us — we update with attribution unless you'd rather we didn't.