New AI image generator runs using 10 times fewer steps than today's best models — and it's coming to smartphones and laptops
By Carly Page
Published on March 18, 2026.
Researchers from the University of Surrey's Institute for People-Centred AI and the company Stability AI have developed a new AI image generator, SD3.5 Flash, that can generate high-quality images using 10 times fewer processing steps than current best models. The new system was developed to run locally on phones and laptops, while being more secure and environmentally friendly than current models that run in power-hungry data centers. The technology was developed through collaboration with Lenovo and aims to bring powerful generative AI out of remote data centers and onto devices people use. It could also make AI-based image generation faster than ever before. The model is set to be licensed to Lenovo for integration into its upcoming on-device AI platform.
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