How Tecno’s partnership with Google Cloud takes ‘active AI’ to the next level
Whether we like it or not, 2026 is set to be a big year for AI, with companies like Google, Samsung, Meta, and others aiming to bring as many features to consumers as possible. As shown by recent launches like the Galaxy S26 series, bright new AI features are leading the conversation around new phones, and consumers are paying the price for such capabilities.
However, one company is taking a proactive approach to AI, hoping it can reach consumers who really need it. Tecno might not be a company you’ve heard much about, but this relatively small OEM has big plans for its AI, which has helped shape its product strategy, a lucrative partnership with Google Cloud, and new hardware it plans to show off at MWC 2026.
The emergence of active AI
When Tecno presented its AI vision in 2024, it took a more focused approach, aiming to bring useful AI features to the masses, not just those who could afford expensive phones. The goal is to ensure that AI is meaningful to consumers in emerging markets, with features and capabilities that offer real value to those who may only have a smartphone as their primary source of technology and communication.
This includes Ella, Tecno’s AI assistant. “Ella has changed a lot in the last year – from a voice command tool to a context-aware, active AI companion,” I was told. It was explained that Ella has become more aware of context, delivering “smart suggestions” based largely on what she knows about you and what’s going on around you. For example, Ella might remind you to hurry to the plane if she sees bad weather that might hinder your trip.
“The phone no longer waits quietly for orders. It thinks, it predicts, it cares.”
AI leadership explains how the interface has evolved to give users access to the most useful features of AI. This includes productivity tools, smart life services, translation features, and more, all in one unified environment.
However, it is about what AI can do for the user and how it can make a meaningful impact on their lives.
One example is AI Image Eraser, which many people in places like London might use to remove strangers from the background of a picture. However, it can play a more important role elsewhere, such as business owners in Nigeria.
“For them, AI Image Eraser is not a decorative tool – it’s a ‘helper to make a living.’ They use it to quickly remove dirty backgrounds and distractions from product images. No studio, no professional photos. With one tap, they produce clean, professional-looking product images – attracting more customers and driving sales.”
“This is what we mean when we say Ella has changed: she doesn’t just understand words. She understands context, culture, and what really matters to our users.”
Using Google Cloud
Tecno knows that for this to happen, it needs a strong LLM. That’s why it has partnered with Google Cloud, effectively combining Google’s technology with Tecno’s local knowledge to truly bring “personal intelligence” to consumers in emerging markets.
“Powerful models and context-aware local AI go hand in hand,” I was told. “In fact, we believe that the future belongs to those who can combine the two.”
Tecno’s collaboration with Google to develop Gemini helps it develop AI for languages used in its largest market, including Hausa, Swahili, Arabic languages, and more. However, it also co-develops a new AI agent framework to enable a more efficient AI assistant, one that can perform cross-app tasks to help streamline processes.
In fact, Tecno is among the first manufacturers plan to integrate into the Google Agent ecosystem, and hopes to build its own ecosystem better designed for emerging markets.
“For us, dynamic models aren’t about scale. They’re about solving local problems at scale.”
Privacy is important
The AI lead assured me that while Tecno continues to advance its AI capabilities, privacy remains a top priority. Where possible, the company will prioritize on-device AI processing, which we’re finally starting to see trickle down to mid-range chipsets geared towards emerging markets.
“From daily reminders to status suggestions, Ella’s predictive power is designed to work on the spot automatically,” I was told. “Cloud services are used only when necessary and always with appropriate safeguards and user transparency.”
The AI lead also notes that Tecno’s “Active AI” also means giving users better control over where their data goes and how it’s handled. The company operates in more than 70 countries with various data protection laws, and Tecno confirms that adherence to them is “not just an obligation to comply.”
What we will see at MWC 2026
According to Tecno, AI has been at the core of Tecno’s product strategy, and we will see that in full at MWC 2026.
The company is already teasing new devices like the Camon 50 Ultra 5G, which has an AI button (something I like to see) to quickly access AI features like Ella, and a dedicated AI processor for improved photography and zooming capabilities.
“In the CAMON 50 Ultra, personal creativity is brought to life in new and meaningful ways,” I was told, as Tecno teased that real-world use cases will be shared at MWC.
“What I can say is this: it’s not just smart thinking. It’s AI that comes to the fore, in the moments that matter.”
But beyond the phone, Tecno is also teasing other AI-first devices, including a tablet, smartwatch, and open earbuds. Its products will integrate using the company’s OneLeap ecosystem, which allows users to work across multiple devices for a unified experience.
As for Ella, we can expect further development of the AI assistant, including deep multilingual intelligence, offline capabilities, and the ability to remember you across devices. This means you can easily switch from one Tecno product, such as AI glasses, to another, letting your preferences and functions go with you.
“We don’t chase ratings. We build AI that adapts to a real user situation, real language, and real constraints. That’s how we make advanced intelligence accessible, relevant, and truly personal in emerging markets.”
