Android System Intelligence (ASI) is a Google system component powering contextual features like Live Caption, Now Playing, Smart Autorotate, and smarter copy-paste on Pixel phones. It runs inside Android's Private Compute Core, introduced in Android 12, which isolates machine-learning tasks from direct internet access. Private Compute Services handles cloud updates.

ASI requests permissions such as contacts and location to enable smart predictions, though Google hasn't fully explained location access. Disabling ASI via Settings > Apps won't break core phone functions — Android Authority confirmed in January 2026 that critical operations remain — but you'll lose ASI-driven features. Google doesn't provide a universal list of affected tools across all devices.

For privacy concerns, restricting individual permissions or features is better than disabling the entire component. ASI is distinct from Gemini Nano, which runs in the separate AICore service. If ASI crashes, Google recommends restarting the phone or installing updates rather than permanent disablement.

For users seeking minimal Google presence, alternatives like GrapheneOS exist, though app compatibility may vary.