Mobile GenAI: Bridging Developer Aspirations and On-Device Realities

Abstract: The "Generative Renaissance" is rapidly expanding to mobile platforms, promising to redefine user experiences on Android. However, a significant gap exists between developer aspirations for on-device Generative AI (GenAI) and the perceived readiness of the current ecosystem. This paper presents findings from a study of 39 experienced Android developers surveyed at Droidcon NYC 2025. Our results reveal a critical "trust deficit" rooted in concerns over performance, reliability, and security. While developers are actively using GenAI for workflow productivity, they are hesitant to ship user-facing features. We find that developers prioritize robust, secure tooling and transparent performance benchmarks over novel capabilities alone. This study provides a framework for understanding the key barriers to adoption and offers a clear directive for platform and hardware vendors: building developer trust is the essential catalyst for unlocking the true potential of on-device GenAI on Android.

Keywords: Generative AI, Developer Experience, Mobile Graphics, Trust, Android

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006875

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