Artificial Intelligence is currently a hot topic. Whether or not it’s a bubble, AI seems to be a certainty at this stage. Companies, whether they are developing AI from scratch like OpenAI and Google or integrating it into their products quickly like Oppo, are all striving to provide intelligent features that promise limitless opportunities. This ranges from tasks as straightforward as summarizing documents to more intricate processes like creating images and videos using only a text prompt.
However, it is often said that with significant power comes significant responsibility. As AI continues to develop and advance rapidly, distinguishing between what is real and what is artificial can become challenging. Smartphone cameras have always incorporated AI in various forms, but this iteration of AI stands apart. It has the ability to alter perceptions of reality, leading to a wide array of opinions and perspectives online. While many express admiration, others voice their concerns. There is no definitive right or wrong, making the situation complex. This sentiment seems to resonate with Oppo as well.
In an extensive conversation with India Today Tech, Simon Liu, Global Imaging Director at Oppo, shared insights on the future of mobile photography, emphasizing that the boundaries are determined not by the device’s hardware but by the intentions of the user. Liu’s remarks, which range from likening AI to a weapon to acknowledging that most individuals prefer not to confront reality in their selfies, offer a unique glimpse into the philosophy that underpins Oppo smartphones, particularly the flagship Find X series.
The weaponisation of pixels
Liu’s perspective on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence is particularly noteworthy. While other major tech companies invest heavily in aligning and restricting AI, Liu perceives the technology purely in terms of its utility.
“In my view, AI is neutral. It’s akin to a gun or a knife,” Liu stated to India Today Tech. “Ultimately, it’s about the individual wielding the gun, not the AI itself. That’s our standpoint.”
Liu believes that as long as the purpose is positive, there should be no limits to what AI can achieve for photographers. “Yes, as long as the intentions are good, I don’t think AI should have restrictions,” he remarked. “Conversely, if the intentions are malevolent, even a small amount of AI can lead to significant issues.”
The science of psychological realism
Oppo has a clear focus: portraits. However, for Liu and his team, creating an ideal portrait is not about capturing every detail precisely. It involves recognizing a fundamental truth about human perception: we often have distorted views of our own appearances.
“The main challenge is understanding what the human mind truly desires. Most of the time, people do not seek reality,” Liu explained. “They envision how they should appear, and uncovering that isn’t straightforward.”
To address this gap, Oppo has expanded its research approach beyond conventional computer science. The company now organizes research groups every few weeks in different cities, inviting small groups of 10 to 20 participants to explore the discrepancies between what they claim to want and their actual reactions.
“We are establishing a science aimed at accurately comprehending the human mind,” Liu stated. “This is currently a significant influencing factor, and we are learning rapidly.”
This emphasis on understanding human psychology is why Oppo’s collaboration with Hasselblad has matured. Liu described a five-year progression in how the public perceives bokeh effects.
In the beginning, brands had to apply a heavy blur to demonstrate that the technology worked. By the second year, users began to question whether the blur was effectively representing depth. It took nearly five years for the audience to evolve to a point where they desired a more balanced look between the subject and background, rather than an artificial effect.
“It took five years for the general audience to reach this understanding,” Liu noted. “This is why we are also evolving. Initially, only Hasselblad enthusiasts recognized the brand… now we have the opportunity to pursue true perfection.”
Solving the underwater problem
The Find X9 series introduces a shift in the configuration of the cameras. While some might perceive this as merely an aesthetic change, Liu insists it is a practical engineering decision.
By relocating the ultra-wide lens to a higher position, Oppo addressed a common annoyance for mobile photographers: smudges. “It often seems like there are smudges on the screen,” Liu mentioned. More importantly, this new configuration was designed to enhance the increasingly popular practice of underwater photography.
“When taking underwater shots… the circular design made it challenging to capture clear images. But with this [new design], you achieve much better visuals when submerged.”
Why the pop-up camera stayed dead
For those who miss the mechanical pop-up cameras from the original Find X, Liu offered a blunt reality check. Although they are considered “good design” and “address various issues,” they are inherently unreliable.
“Simply put, on a phone, the more moving parts there are, the higher the likelihood of failure,” Liu explained. He even pointed to the challenges faced by the modern foldable market as a warning. “The foldable screens are problematic for every manufacturer. The repair rates are high. Thus, any moving component in a phone is likely to lead to service issues and a poor user experience.”
Hardware has not peaked
Is the smartphone camera reaching its limits? Have we exhausted the potential of optics and silicon? Liu strongly disagrees.
He distinguishes between two realms: the imaging domain (optics, sensors, prisms) and the AI domain (computing power). In both contexts, he believes there is still significant room for advancement.
“Up to this point, I don’t believe hardware has truly peaked in the camera realm. The same goes for the AI aspect. We have yet to reach the maximum potential of computing capabilities,” Liu concluded. “We are still far from reaching our peak.”
For Oppo, moving forward is not solely about larger sensors or faster processors, although these are crucial and a key selling point for both current and future devices. It’s about harnessing the neutral tool of AI to capture the versions of ourselves that exist solely in our imaginations. As Liu puts it, the most vital element of the camera isn’t the lens, but the “individual behind the gun.”