Built-in AI boosts productivity of Huawei's self-developed PC operating system

The built-in artificial intelligence (AI) function on Chinese tech giant Huawei's newly launched laptops can greatly boost users' work efficiency, according to engineers of its self-developed operating system HarmonyOS.

Huawei on Monday unveiled the MateBook Pro and MateBook Fold Ultimate Design powered by HarmonyOS, marking the debut of its self-developed operating system on personal computers (PCs).

The new products also signals the company's push to expand HarmonyOS beyond smartphones and tablets into a PC market long led by Microsoft's Windows and Apple's macOS.

One of the most eye-catching features of the new laptops is the built-in AI function, which is capable of creating PPT slides through voice command.

In a demonstration on the launch day, it only took a few minutes for one of the Huawei laptops to understand the voice command, and make a presentation slide about traveling in Shenzhen.

Users can also give voice commands to the AI bot to complete complex tasks such as writing scripts, organizing documents, or even processing local files in offline mode. "First of all, it can understand users' intentions, then give instructions to corresponding applications to assist you, so that you can complete all these tasks within just a few minutes," said Zeng Qunfan, a software product management expert for HarmonyOS.

"We have carried out a comprehensive upgrade from top to bottom for the operating system to seamlessly integrate its functions with the AI system and connect the underlying operating system with applications, so as to better understand the needs of users and match their operations in the intelligent, professional and mobile user scenarios nowadays," said Li Shijun, chief architect of HarmonyOS.

HarmonyOS, or Hongmeng in Chinese, is an open-source operating system designed for various devices and scenarios. Originally launched in 2019, it has since been applied across smartphones, tablets, wearables, smart home appliances, and new energy vehicles.

Based in Shenzhen, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communication technology infrastructure and smart devices. It generated 862.1 billion yuan (about 120 billion U.S. dollars) in sales revenue in 2024, up from 704.2 billion yuan the previous year, according to its 2024 annual report.

In 2024, Huawei invested 179.7 billion yuan back into research and development, which accounted for approximately 20.8 percent of its annual revenue. Altogether, the company's investment in research and development over the past decade exceeded 1.249 trillion yuan, according to the annual report.

Built-in AI boosts productivity of Huawei's self-developed PC operating system

Israel aims to fuel division among Lebanese factions by holding direct talks with the Lebanese government, said a senior Hezbollah official in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Bilal Lakkis, a member of Hezbollah's Central Committee, said Israel's military plans are failing in southern Lebanon, with no prominent military gains despite weeks of bombardment.

Israel has been bombarding most bridges over the Litani River, leaving only about two intact, in what appears to be an attempt to create an expanded buffer zone or to advance further north. Asked how Hezbollah views this strategy, Lakkis dismissed Israeli objectives as incoherent and militarily unachieved.

"Every day one of Israel's leaders says something different. Some say 'we need protection from the attacks', others say they want an occupation to settle the Israeli military. A third group says they want a buffer zone. A buffer zone needs a huge military victory, which has not been achieved. This proves that there is hesitance among them, there is no clarity. In any case, the region south of the river, some parts of it are just three kilometers between the river and the occupied Palestinian territories, so it doesn't achieve security," he said.

The United States hosted political talks for the first time in decades between the Lebanese government and Israel this week. Asked whether any agreement could be implemented without Hezbollah's consent and what Israel seeks from these negotiations, Lakkis was unequivocal in his rejection.

"The government is violating all laws. Some in Lebanon had hopes that the war on Iran would hit the brain, all the affiliates would perish. Instead they found success in holding negotiations in Pakistan. Every time Netanyahu fails militarily, he attempts to fuel the division within the Lebanese body," he said.

Asked about whether Hezbollah would avoid actions that might fuel such divisions, Lakkis emphasized the group's commitment to internal stability.

"The resistance in Lebanon doesn't want any internal instability. That is a long-standing historic stance. It's a red line for us to tamper with peace and stability. Moreover, the Arab and the Islamic support towards the resistance and Hezbollah specifically is at its best. To resist that is a way more valuable gain than to be dragged against an internal party. We are keen on national unity and Islamic unity," he said.

Hezbollah official says Israel aims to fuel division among Lebanese factions