diff --git a/Dockerfile.laya b/Dockerfile.laya
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d1e380b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Dockerfile.laya
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+FROM python:3.12-slim
+
+ARG TORCH_VERSION=2.14.1
+
+# Install the CPU wheel explicitly before Laya so pip does not select the much
+# larger CUDA build. Model weights remain runtime-only in the mounted cache.
+RUN python -m pip install --no-cache-dir \
+        "torch==${TORCH_VERSION}" \
+        --index-url https://download.pytorch.org/whl/cpu \
+    && python -m pip install --no-cache-dir "laya[serve]>=0.3.22,<0.4" \
+    && python -m pip check \
+    && python -c "import torch; assert torch.version.cuda is None, torch.version.cuda"
+
+ENV HF_HOME=/models \
+    LAYA_HOST=0.0.0.0 \
+    LAYA_PORT=8000 \
+    LAYA_PRELOAD=0 \
+    LAYA_DEVICE=cpu
+
+VOLUME ["/models"]
+EXPOSE 8000
+
+CMD ["laya-serve"]
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index b088f7d..8231126 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -13,5 +13,20 @@ services:
     environment:
       - NODE_ENV=production
       - PORT=3000 # Internal container port
+      - LAYA_BASE_URL=http://laya:8000
     devices:
       - /dev/dri:/dev/dri # Required for VAAPI/QuickSync/AMF (Linux)
+
+  laya:
+    profiles: ["laya"]
+    build:
+      context: .
+      dockerfile: Dockerfile.laya
+    volumes:
+      - ./data/models/laya:/models
+    environment:
+      - HF_HOME=/models
+      - LAYA_PRELOAD=0
+      - LAYA_HOST=0.0.0.0
+      - LAYA_PORT=8000
+    restart: unless-stopped
diff --git a/public/css/main.css b/public/css/main.css
index 32f45a1..740d055 100644
--- a/public/css/main.css
+++ b/public/css/main.css
@@ -725,6 +725,71 @@ h4 {
   white-space: nowrap;
 }
 
+.channel-matching-settings {
+  margin-top: var(--space-lg);
+  padding-top: var(--space-md);
+  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+}
+
+.matching-mode-options {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: var(--space-sm);
+  margin: var(--space-md) 0;
+}
+
+.matching-mode-card {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: flex-start;
+  gap: var(--space-sm);
+  padding: var(--space-md);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.matching-mode-card:has(input:checked) {
+  border-color: var(--color-accent);
+  background: var(--color-accent-dim);
+}
+
+.matching-mode-card span,
+.matching-mode-card small {
+  display: block;
+}
+
+.matching-mode-card small {
+  margin-top: 4px;
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+}
+
+.laya-model-panel {
+  padding: var(--space-md);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  background: var(--color-bg-tertiary);
+}
+
+.laya-model-heading,
+.laya-model-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: var(--space-sm);
+}
+
+.laya-model-actions {
+  justify-content: flex-start;
+  margin: var(--space-md) 0;
+}
+
+.laya-language-notice {
+  margin: var(--space-sm) var(--space-md);
+  padding: var(--space-sm);
+  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
+  background: var(--color-bg-tertiary);
+  color: var(--color-text-muted);
+  font-size: .75rem;
+}
+
 .variant-name {
   overflow: hidden;
   text-overflow: ellipsis;
diff --git a/public/index.html b/public/index.html
index c65bf4e..47dfdea 100644
--- a/public/index.html
+++ b/public/index.html
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
   <title>nodecast-tv | IPTV Player</title>
   <meta name="description" content="Stream live TV, movies, and series with EPG support">
   <link rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml" href="/favicon.svg">
-  <link rel="stylesheet" href="css/main.css?v=2">
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="css/main.css?v=3">
   <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
   <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
   <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&family=Outfit:wght@800&display=swap"
@@ -466,6 +466,36 @@
                   <span class="setting-hint">Turn off to show all channels in a single list. Stream variants remain grouped by channel.</span>
                 </div>
               </div>
+              <div class="channel-matching-settings">
+                <h4>Channel matching</h4>
+                <p class="setting-hint">Choose how Nodecast TV identifies matching streams and languages.</p>
+                <div class="matching-mode-options">
+                  <label class="matching-mode-card">
+                    <input type="radio" name="language-detection-mode" value="algo" checked>
+                    <span><strong>Standard (Recommended)</strong><small>Use the built-in matching system. Fast and no download required.</small></span>
+                  </label>
+                  <label class="matching-mode-card">
+                    <input type="radio" name="language-detection-mode" value="laya">
+                    <span><strong>Local AI only</strong><small>Use the downloaded AI model instead of the built-in matching system.</small></span>
+                  </label>
+                  <label class="matching-mode-card">
+                    <input type="radio" name="language-detection-mode" value="hybrid">
+                    <span><strong>Enhanced</strong><small>Combine the local AI model with the built-in matching system for more evidence.</small></span>
+                  </label>
+                </div>
+                <div class="laya-model-panel" id="laya-model-panel">
+                  <div class="laya-model-heading">
+                    <div><strong>Local AI model · Laya</strong><div id="laya-model-status" class="setting-hint" role="status">Checking status…</div></div>
+                    <span id="laya-model-size" class="setting-hint"></span>
+                  </div>
+                  <div id="laya-model-message" class="setting-hint"></div>
+                  <div class="laya-model-actions">
+                    <button type="button" class="btn btn-primary" id="laya-download-model">Download model</button>
+                    <button type="button" class="btn btn-ghost" id="laya-remove-model">Remove downloaded model</button>
+                  </div>
+                  <p class="setting-hint">The model runs on this server. Channel names and metadata are not sent to an AI service.</p>
+                </div>
+              </div>
             </div>
 
             <div class="settings-section">
@@ -1137,11 +1167,12 @@
 
   <!-- JavaScript -->
   <script src="/js/icons.js"></script>
-  <script src="/js/api.js?v=2"></script>
-  <script src="/js/components/VideoPlayer.js?v=4"></script>
+  <script src="/js/api.js?v=3"></script>
+  <script src="/js/components/VideoPlayer.js?v=5"></script>
   <script src="/js/services/channelLanguageDetection.js?v=1"></script>
-  <script src="/js/services/channelVariantGrouping.js?v=3"></script>
-  <script src="/js/components/ChannelList.js?v=6"></script>
+  <script src="/js/services/channelLanguageFusion.js?v=1"></script>
+  <script src="/js/services/channelVariantGrouping.js?v=4"></script>
+  <script src="/js/components/ChannelList.js?v=7"></script>
   <script src="/js/components/SourceManager.js?v=2"></script>
   <script src="/js/components/EpgGuide.js?v=2"></script>
   <script src="/js/pages/HomePage.js?v=2"></script>
@@ -1149,7 +1180,7 @@
   <script src="/js/pages/Guide.js?v=2"></script>
   <script src="/js/pages/MoviesPage.js?v=4"></script>
   <script src="/js/pages/SeriesPage.js?v=1"></script>
-  <script src="/js/pages/Settings.js?v=3"></script>
+  <script src="/js/pages/Settings.js?v=4"></script>
   <script src="/js/pages/WatchPage.js?v=1"></script>
   <script src="/js/app.js?v=4"></script>
   <script>
diff --git a/public/js/api.js b/public/js/api.js
index 77b1306..03449c4 100644
--- a/public/js/api.js
+++ b/public/js/api.js
@@ -95,6 +95,13 @@ const API = {
             API.request('GET', `/favorites/check?sourceId=${sourceId}&itemId=${itemId}&itemType=${itemType}`)
     },
 
+    laya: {
+        getStatus: () => API.request('GET', '/laya/status'),
+        downloadModel: (model = 'multilingual') => API.request('POST', '/laya/model/download', { model }),
+        removeModel: () => API.request('DELETE', '/laya/model'),
+        detectLanguages: (items, model = 'multilingual') => API.request('POST', '/laya/language/batch', { items, model })
+    },
+
     // Proxy
     proxy: {
         // Xtream
diff --git a/public/js/components/ChannelList.js b/public/js/components/ChannelList.js
index 109dd37..9b4be88 100644
--- a/public/js/components/ChannelList.js
+++ b/public/js/components/ChannelList.js
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ class ChannelList {
         this.channelLanguagePreferencesKey = 'nodecast_tv_channel_language_preferences';
         this.preferredLanguage = this.loadPreferredLanguage();
         this.channelLanguagePreferences = this.loadChannelLanguagePreferences();
+        this.layaLanguageResults = new Map();
+        this.languageDetectionNotice = '';
+        this._languageDetectionRequest = 0;
 
         this.loadCollapsedState();
         this.init();
@@ -328,6 +331,52 @@ class ChannelList {
         if (this.channels.length > 0) this.render();
     }
 
+    setLanguageDetectionMode(mode) {
+        const safeMode = ['algo', 'laya', 'hybrid'].includes(mode) ? mode : 'algo';
+        this.layaLanguageResults.clear();
+        this.languageDetectionNotice = '';
+        if (this.channels.length > 0) {
+            this.render();
+            void this.refreshLayaLanguages(safeMode);
+        }
+    }
+
+    async refreshLayaLanguages(mode = window.app?.player?.settings?.languageDetectionMode || 'algo') {
+        const requestId = ++this._languageDetectionRequest;
+        if (mode === 'algo') {
+            this.layaLanguageResults.clear();
+            this.languageDetectionNotice = '';
+            return;
+        }
+
+        const descriptors = this.channels.map(variant => {
+            const algo = ChannelLanguageDetection.detectLanguage(variant, { sourceName: variant.sourceName });
+            return ChannelLanguageFusion.buildLayaDescriptor(
+                variant,
+                ChannelVariantGrouping.getVariantKey(variant),
+                algo
+            );
+        });
+        const results = new Map();
+        try {
+            for (let index = 0; index < descriptors.length; index += 64) {
+                const response = await API.laya.detectLanguages(descriptors.slice(index, index + 64));
+                (response.results || []).forEach(result => results.set(String(result.id), result));
+            }
+            if (requestId !== this._languageDetectionRequest) return;
+            this.layaLanguageResults = results;
+            this.languageDetectionNotice = '';
+        } catch (err) {
+            if (requestId !== this._languageDetectionRequest) return;
+            this.layaLanguageResults.clear();
+            this.languageDetectionNotice = mode === 'hybrid'
+                ? 'Local AI is unavailable; using standard channel matching.'
+                : 'Local AI is unavailable. Download or start the model in Settings.';
+            console.warn('[ChannelList] Local AI language detection unavailable:', err.message);
+        }
+        this.render();
+    }
+
     escapeHtml(text) {
         if (!text) return '';
         return text
@@ -356,6 +405,8 @@ class ChannelList {
             selectedVariants: this.selectedVariants,
             preferredLanguage: this.preferredLanguage,
             languagePreferences: this.channelLanguagePreferences,
+            languageMode: window.app?.player?.settings?.languageDetectionMode || 'algo',
+            languageResults: this.layaLanguageResults,
             isFavorite: channel => this.isFavorite(channel.sourceId, channel.id),
             isHidden: channel => this.isHidden('channel', channel.sourceId, channel.streamId || channel.id)
         });
@@ -364,6 +415,13 @@ class ChannelList {
         this.currentBatch = 0;
         this.batchSize = 100; // Number of groups to render per batch (increased to handle many hidden groups)
         this.container.innerHTML = ''; // Clear container
+        if (this.languageDetectionNotice) {
+            const notice = document.createElement('div');
+            notice.className = 'laya-language-notice';
+            notice.setAttribute('role', 'status');
+            notice.textContent = this.languageDetectionNotice;
+            this.container.appendChild(notice);
+        }
 
         // Filter and Group channels
         const groupedChannels = {};
@@ -837,6 +895,7 @@ class ChannelList {
             ]);
 
             this.render();
+            void this.refreshLayaLanguages();
         } catch (err) {
             console.error('Error loading channels:', err);
             this.container.innerHTML = `<div class="empty-state"><p>Error loading channels</p><p class="hint">${err.message}</p></div>`;
@@ -872,6 +931,7 @@ class ChannelList {
                 this.loadFavorites()
             ]);
             this.render();
+            void this.refreshLayaLanguages();
         } catch (err) {
             console.error('Error loading all channels:', err);
         }
diff --git a/public/js/components/VideoPlayer.js b/public/js/components/VideoPlayer.js
index 596c227..470be18 100644
--- a/public/js/components/VideoPlayer.js
+++ b/public/js/components/VideoPlayer.js
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ class VideoPlayer {
             lastVolume: 80,
             autoPlayNextEpisode: false,
             liveChannelListMode: 'grouped',
+            languageDetectionMode: 'algo',
             forceProxy: false,
             forceTranscode: false,
             forceRemux: false,
diff --git a/public/js/pages/Settings.js b/public/js/pages/Settings.js
index ecdddd2..b29a5e9 100644
--- a/public/js/pages/Settings.js
+++ b/public/js/pages/Settings.js
@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ class SettingsPage {
             this.app.player.saveSettings();
         });
 
+        this.initLayaSettings();
+
         // EPG refresh interval
         const epgRefreshSelect = document.getElementById('epg-refresh-interval');
         if (epgRefreshSelect && this.app.player?.settings) {
@@ -103,6 +105,95 @@ class SettingsPage {
         this.updateEpgLastRefreshed();
     }
 
+    initLayaSettings() {
+        const radios = document.querySelectorAll('input[name="language-detection-mode"]');
+        const currentMode = this.app.player?.settings?.languageDetectionMode || 'algo';
+        radios.forEach(radio => {
+            radio.checked = radio.value === currentMode;
+            radio.addEventListener('change', () => {
+                if (!radio.checked) return;
+                this.app.player.settings.languageDetectionMode = radio.value;
+                this.app.player.saveSettings();
+                this.app.channelList.setLanguageDetectionMode(radio.value);
+                this.renderLayaStatus(this.layaStatus);
+            });
+        });
+
+        document.getElementById('laya-download-model')?.addEventListener('click', () => this.runLayaModelAction('download'));
+        document.getElementById('laya-remove-model')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+            if (confirm('Remove local AI model?\n\nYour sources, favorites, and hidden channels will not be deleted.')) {
+                this.runLayaModelAction('remove');
+            }
+        });
+        void this.loadLayaStatus();
+    }
+
+    async loadLayaStatus() {
+        try {
+            this.layaStatus = await API.laya.getStatus();
+        } catch (err) {
+            this.layaStatus = { runtimeAvailable: false, modelPresent: false, error: err.message };
+        }
+        this.renderLayaStatus(this.layaStatus);
+        return this.layaStatus;
+    }
+
+    renderLayaStatus(status = {}) {
+        const statusElement = document.getElementById('laya-model-status');
+        const sizeElement = document.getElementById('laya-model-size');
+        const messageElement = document.getElementById('laya-model-message');
+        const downloadButton = document.getElementById('laya-download-model');
+        const removeButton = document.getElementById('laya-remove-model');
+        if (!statusElement) return;
+
+        const modelPresent = status.modelPresent === true;
+        const runtimeAvailable = status.runtimeAvailable === true;
+        statusElement.textContent = modelPresent
+            ? (runtimeAvailable ? 'Model ready' : 'Model downloaded · runtime unavailable')
+            : (runtimeAvailable ? 'Model not downloaded' : 'Local AI runtime unavailable');
+        const size = status.modelSizeBytes || status.sizeBytes || status.runtime?.modelSizeBytes;
+        sizeElement.textContent = size ? this.formatBytes(size) : '';
+        downloadButton.hidden = modelPresent;
+        removeButton.hidden = !modelPresent;
+        downloadButton.disabled = Boolean(this.layaOperationPending);
+        removeButton.disabled = Boolean(this.layaOperationPending);
+
+        const mode = this.app.player?.settings?.languageDetectionMode || 'algo';
+        if (this.layaOperationPending) messageElement.textContent = this.layaOperationPending;
+        else if (mode !== 'algo' && (!modelPresent || !runtimeAvailable)) {
+            messageElement.textContent = 'Local AI is not ready. Download the model and ensure the runtime is running. Live TV will remain available.';
+        } else messageElement.textContent = status.error || '';
+    }
+
+    formatBytes(bytes) {
+        const value = Number(bytes);
+        if (!Number.isFinite(value) || value <= 0) return '';
+        const units = ['B', 'KB', 'MB', 'GB'];
+        const index = Math.min(Math.floor(Math.log(value) / Math.log(1024)), units.length - 1);
+        return `${(value / (1024 ** index)).toFixed(index > 1 ? 1 : 0)} ${units[index]}`;
+    }
+
+    async runLayaModelAction(action) {
+        if (this.layaOperationPending) return;
+        this.layaOperationPending = action === 'download' ? 'Downloading model…' : 'Removing model…';
+        this.renderLayaStatus(this.layaStatus);
+        const poll = setInterval(() => void this.loadLayaStatus(), 2000);
+        try {
+            this.layaStatus = action === 'download'
+                ? await API.laya.downloadModel('multilingual')
+                : await API.laya.removeModel();
+        } catch (err) {
+            this.layaStatus = { ...(this.layaStatus || {}), error: err.message };
+        } finally {
+            clearInterval(poll);
+            this.layaOperationPending = '';
+            await this.loadLayaStatus();
+            if (this.app.player.settings.languageDetectionMode !== 'algo') {
+                this.app.channelList.setLanguageDetectionMode(this.app.player.settings.languageDetectionMode);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     async initTranscodingSettings() {
         // Encoder settings
         const hwEncoderSelect = document.getElementById('setting-hw-encoder');
@@ -595,6 +686,9 @@ class SettingsPage {
             if (rememberVolumeToggle) rememberVolumeToggle.checked = s.rememberVolume;
             if (autoPlayNextToggle) autoPlayNextToggle.checked = s.autoPlayNextEpisode;
             if (groupLiveChannelsToggle) groupLiveChannelsToggle.checked = s.liveChannelListMode !== 'flat';
+            document.querySelectorAll('input[name="language-detection-mode"]').forEach(radio => {
+                radio.checked = radio.value === (s.languageDetectionMode || 'algo');
+            });
             if (forceProxyToggle) forceProxyToggle.checked = s.forceProxy || false;
             if (forceTranscodeToggle) forceTranscodeToggle.checked = s.forceTranscode || false;
             if (forceRemuxToggle) forceRemuxToggle.checked = s.forceRemux || false;
@@ -617,6 +711,7 @@ class SettingsPage {
 
         // Update EPG last refreshed display
         this.updateEpgLastRefreshed();
+        void this.loadLayaStatus();
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/public/js/services/channelLanguageFusion.js b/public/js/services/channelLanguageFusion.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ebfeb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/public/js/services/channelLanguageFusion.js
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+(function (root, factory) {
+    const service = factory();
+    if (typeof module === 'object' && module.exports) module.exports = service;
+    if (root) root.ChannelLanguageFusion = service;
+})(typeof globalThis !== 'undefined' ? globalThis : this, function () {
+    const LABELS = { fr: 'French', en: 'English', es: 'Spanish', unknown: 'Unknown' };
+
+    function normalizeConfidence(value) {
+        const number = Number(value) || 0;
+        return Math.max(0, Math.min(100, Math.round(number <= 1 ? number * 100 : number)));
+    }
+
+    function layaDetection(result) {
+        const rawCode = result?.language?.code || result?.language || 'unknown';
+        const code = ['fr', 'en', 'es'].includes(rawCode) ? rawCode : 'unknown';
+        const confidence = normalizeConfidence(result?.language?.confidence ?? result?.confidence);
+        return {
+            language: {
+                code,
+                label: LABELS[code],
+                confidence: code === 'unknown' ? 0 : confidence,
+                status: code === 'unknown' ? 'unknown' : confidence >= 75 ? 'high' : confidence >= 60 ? 'medium' : 'low'
+            },
+            languageScores: code === 'unknown' ? {} : { [code]: confidence },
+            languageEvidence: code === 'unknown' ? [] : [{ code, weight: confidence, type: 'laya', value: 'Local AI model' }]
+        };
+    }
+
+    function mergeHybrid(algo, result) {
+        if (!result) return algo;
+        const laya = layaDetection(result);
+        if (laya.language.code === 'unknown') return {
+            ...algo,
+            languageEvidence: [...algo.languageEvidence, ...laya.languageEvidence]
+        };
+        const combined = { ...algo.languageScores };
+        combined[laya.language.code] = (combined[laya.language.code] || 0) + laya.language.confidence;
+        const total = Object.values(combined).reduce((sum, value) => sum + value, 0);
+        const scores = Object.fromEntries(Object.entries(combined).map(([code, value]) => [code, Math.round(value / total * 100)]));
+        const ranked = Object.entries(scores).sort((a, b) => b[1] - a[1]);
+        const [code, confidence] = ranked[0];
+        const margin = confidence - (ranked[1]?.[1] || 0);
+        const certain = confidence >= 45 && margin >= 10;
+        return {
+            language: certain ? {
+                code,
+                label: LABELS[code] || code.toUpperCase(),
+                confidence,
+                status: confidence >= 75 ? 'high' : confidence >= 60 ? 'medium' : 'low'
+            } : { code: 'unknown', label: 'Unknown', confidence: 0, status: 'unknown' },
+            languageScores: scores,
+            languageEvidence: [...algo.languageEvidence, ...laya.languageEvidence]
+        };
+    }
+
+    function applyLanguageMode(algo, result, mode) {
+        if (mode === 'algo') return algo;
+        if (mode === 'hybrid') return mergeHybrid(algo, result);
+        return result ? layaDetection(result) : {
+            language: { code: 'unknown', label: 'Unknown', confidence: 0, status: 'unknown' },
+            languageScores: {},
+            languageEvidence: []
+        };
+    }
+
+    function buildLayaDescriptor(variant, variantKey, algo) {
+        const fields = [
+            ['sourceId', variant.sourceId],
+            ['name', variant.name],
+            ['groupTitle', variant.groupTitle],
+            ['sourceName', variant.sourceName],
+            ['tvgId', variant.tvgId],
+            ['algorithmScores', JSON.stringify(algo.languageScores || {})]
+        ];
+        return {
+            id: variantKey,
+            text: fields.filter(([, value]) => value !== undefined && value !== null && value !== '')
+                .map(([key, value]) => `${key}: ${value}`).join('\n')
+        };
+    }
+
+    return { applyLanguageMode, buildLayaDescriptor, layaDetection, mergeHybrid, normalizeConfidence };
+});
diff --git a/public/js/services/channelVariantGrouping.js b/public/js/services/channelVariantGrouping.js
index 41871b4..45562ad 100644
--- a/public/js/services/channelVariantGrouping.js
+++ b/public/js/services/channelVariantGrouping.js
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@
     const detector = typeof module === 'object' && module.exports
         ? require('./channelLanguageDetection.js')
         : root.ChannelLanguageDetection;
-    const service = factory(detector);
+    const fusion = typeof module === 'object' && module.exports
+        ? require('./channelLanguageFusion.js')
+        : root.ChannelLanguageFusion;
+    const service = factory(detector, fusion);
     if (typeof module === 'object' && module.exports) module.exports = service;
     if (root) root.ChannelVariantGrouping = service;
-})(typeof globalThis !== 'undefined' ? globalThis : this, function (languageDetection) {
+})(typeof globalThis !== 'undefined' ? globalThis : this, function (languageDetection, languageFusion) {
     const QUALITY_TOKENS = new Set([
         '4k', 'uhd', 'fhd', 'fullhd', 'hd', 'sd', 'hevc', 'h265', 'h264',
         '1080p', '1080i', '720p', '576p', '480p'
@@ -96,10 +99,14 @@
         });
 
         return Array.from(buckets, ([fingerprint, rawVariants]) => {
-            const variants = rawVariants.map(variant => ({
-                ...variant,
-                ...languageDetection.detectLanguage(variant, { sourceName: variant.sourceName })
-            }));
+            const variants = rawVariants.map(variant => {
+                const algo = languageDetection.detectLanguage(variant, { sourceName: variant.sourceName });
+                const result = options.languageResults?.get(getVariantKey(variant));
+                return {
+                    ...variant,
+                    ...languageFusion.applyLanguageMode(algo, result, options.languageMode || 'algo')
+                };
+            });
             const visibleVariants = variants.filter(variant => !isHidden(variant));
             const selectableVariants = showHidden ? variants : visibleVariants;
             const languageCounts = selectableVariants.reduce((counts, variant) => {
diff --git a/server/db.js b/server/db.js
index d0bc412..ba8e752 100644
--- a/server/db.js
+++ b/server/db.js
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ function getDefaultSettings() {
     lastVolume: 80,
     autoPlayNextEpisode: false,
     liveChannelListMode: 'grouped',
+    languageDetectionMode: 'algo',
     forceProxy: false,
     forceTranscode: false, // Force Audio Transcode
     forceVideoTranscode: false, // Force Video Transcode
diff --git a/server/db/sqlite.js b/server/db/sqlite.js
index c3a76e4..e73e4f0 100644
--- a/server/db/sqlite.js
+++ b/server/db/sqlite.js
@@ -135,6 +135,18 @@ function initSchema() {
         CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_history_user_item ON watch_history(user_id, item_id);
     `);
 
+    db.exec(`
+        CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS laya_language_cache (
+            cache_key TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+            mode TEXT NOT NULL,
+            model TEXT NOT NULL,
+            response TEXT NOT NULL,
+            created_at INTEGER NOT NULL
+        );
+        CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_laya_cache_mode_model
+            ON laya_language_cache(mode, model);
+    `);
+
     // Migration: Add source_id column if missing (for existing databases)
     try {
         db.exec(`ALTER TABLE watch_history ADD COLUMN source_id INTEGER`);
@@ -209,8 +221,32 @@ const favorites = {
     }
 };
 
+const layaLanguageCache = {
+    get(cacheKey) {
+        const row = getDb().prepare(
+            'SELECT response FROM laya_language_cache WHERE cache_key = ?'
+        ).get(cacheKey);
+        return row ? JSON.parse(row.response) : null;
+    },
+
+    set(cacheKey, mode, model, response) {
+        getDb().prepare(`
+            INSERT INTO laya_language_cache (cache_key, mode, model, response, created_at)
+            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+            ON CONFLICT(cache_key) DO UPDATE SET
+                response = excluded.response,
+                created_at = excluded.created_at
+        `).run(cacheKey, mode, model, JSON.stringify(response), Date.now());
+    },
+
+    clear() {
+        getDb().prepare('DELETE FROM laya_language_cache').run();
+    }
+};
+
 module.exports = {
     getDb,
     initSchema,
-    favorites
+    favorites,
+    layaLanguageCache
 };
diff --git a/server/index.js b/server/index.js
index 0774e48..4dd1fa1 100644
--- a/server/index.js
+++ b/server/index.js
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ app.use('/api/probe', require('./routes/probe'));
 app.use('/api/subtitle', require('./routes/subtitle'));
 app.use('/api/settings', require('./routes/settings'));
 app.use('/api/history', require('./routes/history'));
+app.use('/api/laya', require('./routes/laya'));
 
 // Version endpoint
 app.get('/api/version', (req, res) => {
diff --git a/server/routes/laya.js b/server/routes/laya.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62238da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/routes/laya.js
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+const express = require('express');
+const { requireAuth, requireAdmin } = require('../auth');
+const { LayaRequestError, LayaService } = require('../services/layaService');
+
+const router = express.Router();
+const laya = new LayaService();
+
+function sendError(res, error) {
+    const status = error instanceof LayaRequestError ? error.statusCode : 500;
+    const message = error instanceof LayaRequestError ? error.message : 'Internal server error';
+    res.status(status).json({ runtimeAvailable: false, error: message });
+}
+
+router.get('/status', requireAuth, async (req, res) => {
+    res.json(await laya.status());
+});
+
+router.post('/model/download', requireAuth, requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
+    try {
+        res.json(await laya.downloadModel(req.body?.model));
+    } catch (error) {
+        sendError(res, error);
+    }
+});
+
+router.delete('/model', requireAuth, requireAdmin, async (req, res) => {
+    try {
+        res.json(await laya.deleteModel());
+    } catch (error) {
+        sendError(res, error);
+    }
+});
+
+router.post('/language/batch', requireAuth, async (req, res) => {
+    try {
+        res.json(await laya.detectBatch(req.body));
+    } catch (error) {
+        sendError(res, error);
+    }
+});
+
+module.exports = router;
diff --git a/server/services/layaService.js b/server/services/layaService.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3f3de5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/services/layaService.js
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+const crypto = require('crypto');
+const fs = require('fs/promises');
+const path = require('path');
+
+const MODEL_DIR = path.resolve(__dirname, '..', '..', 'data', 'models', 'laya');
+const MAX_BATCH_ITEMS = 64;
+const MAX_BATCH_BYTES = 64 * 1024;
+const MAX_TEXT_LENGTH = 4096;
+const ALLOWED_MODELS = new Set(['english', 'multilingual', 'typed-decisions']);
+
+class LayaRequestError extends Error {
+    constructor(message, statusCode = 503) {
+        super(message);
+        this.name = 'LayaRequestError';
+        this.statusCode = statusCode;
+    }
+}
+
+function validateBatchPayload(payload) {
+    if (!payload || typeof payload !== 'object' || Array.isArray(payload)) {
+        throw new LayaRequestError('Request body must be an object', 400);
+    }
+    if (!Array.isArray(payload.items) || payload.items.length === 0) {
+        throw new LayaRequestError('items must be a non-empty array', 400);
+    }
+    if (Object.keys(payload).some(key => !['items', 'model'].includes(key))) {
+        throw new LayaRequestError('Request body contains unsupported fields', 400);
+    }
+    if (payload.items.length > MAX_BATCH_ITEMS || Buffer.byteLength(JSON.stringify(payload)) > MAX_BATCH_BYTES) {
+        throw new LayaRequestError('Batch payload is too large', 413);
+    }
+    payload.items.forEach((item, index) => {
+        if (!item || typeof item !== 'object' || typeof item.text !== 'string' || !item.text.trim()) {
+            throw new LayaRequestError(`items[${index}].text must be a non-empty string`, 400);
+        }
+        if (item.text.length > MAX_TEXT_LENGTH) {
+            throw new LayaRequestError(`items[${index}].text is too long`, 413);
+        }
+        if (Object.keys(item).some(key => !['id', 'text'].includes(key))) {
+            throw new LayaRequestError(`items[${index}] contains unsupported fields`, 400);
+        }
+        if (item.id !== undefined && !['string', 'number'].includes(typeof item.id)) {
+            throw new LayaRequestError(`items[${index}].id must be a string or number`, 400);
+        }
+    });
+    if (payload.model !== undefined && !ALLOWED_MODELS.has(payload.model)) {
+        throw new LayaRequestError('Unsupported Laya model', 400);
+    }
+    return payload;
+}
+
+async function clearDirectoryContents(directory) {
+    const root = path.resolve(directory);
+    await fs.mkdir(root, { recursive: true });
+    const entries = await fs.readdir(root);
+    for (const entry of entries) {
+        const target = path.resolve(root, entry);
+        if (path.dirname(target) !== root) {
+            throw new Error('Refusing to delete outside the Laya model directory');
+        }
+        await fs.rm(target, { recursive: true, force: true });
+    }
+}
+
+class LayaService {
+    constructor(options = {}) {
+        this.baseUrl = options.baseUrl || process.env.LAYA_BASE_URL || 'http://laya:8000';
+        this.modelDir = path.resolve(options.modelDir || MODEL_DIR);
+        this.fetch = options.fetch || globalThis.fetch;
+        this.cache = options.cache === undefined
+            ? require('../db/sqlite').layaLanguageCache
+            : options.cache;
+        this.timeoutMs = options.timeoutMs || 3000;
+    }
+
+    async request(endpoint, options = {}) {
+        if (typeof this.fetch !== 'function') throw new LayaRequestError('Laya runtime client is unavailable');
+        const controller = new AbortController();
+        const timeout = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), this.timeoutMs);
+        const headers = { 'content-type': 'application/json' };
+        if (process.env.LAYA_API_KEY) headers.authorization = `Bearer ${process.env.LAYA_API_KEY}`;
+        try {
+            const response = await this.fetch(`${this.baseUrl}${endpoint}`, {
+                ...options,
+                headers: { ...headers, ...options.headers },
+                signal: controller.signal
+            });
+            const data = await response.json().catch(() => null);
+            if (!response.ok) throw new LayaRequestError(`Laya runtime returned HTTP ${response.status}`, 502);
+            return data;
+        } catch (error) {
+            if (error instanceof LayaRequestError) throw error;
+            throw new LayaRequestError('Laya runtime is unavailable');
+        } finally {
+            clearTimeout(timeout);
+        }
+    }
+
+    async status() {
+        await fs.mkdir(this.modelDir, { recursive: true });
+        const modelPresent = (await fs.readdir(this.modelDir)).length > 0;
+        try {
+            const runtime = await this.request('/health', { method: 'GET' });
+            return { runtimeAvailable: true, modelPresent, runtime };
+        } catch (error) {
+            return { runtimeAvailable: false, modelPresent, error: error.message };
+        }
+    }
+
+    async downloadModel(model = 'multilingual') {
+        if (!ALLOWED_MODELS.has(model)) throw new LayaRequestError('Unsupported Laya model', 400);
+        await fs.mkdir(this.modelDir, { recursive: true });
+        await this.request('/v1/systemone', {
+            method: 'POST',
+            body: JSON.stringify({
+                state: 'Bonjour',
+                model,
+                questions: {
+                    language: {
+                        type: 'choice',
+                        instructions: 'Identify the language of this text.',
+                        criteria: { fr: 'French', en: 'English', es: 'Spanish', other: 'Another language' }
+                    }
+                }
+            })
+        });
+        return this.status();
+    }
+
+    async deleteModel() {
+        await clearDirectoryContents(this.modelDir);
+        if (this.cache) this.cache.clear();
+        return { deleted: true, modelPresent: false };
+    }
+
+    cacheKey(text, mode, model) {
+        return crypto.createHash('sha256').update(`${mode}\0${model}\0${text}`).digest('hex');
+    }
+
+    async detectBatch(payload) {
+        validateBatchPayload(payload);
+        const model = payload.model || 'multilingual';
+        const mode = 'laya';
+        const results = new Array(payload.items.length);
+        const misses = [];
+
+        payload.items.forEach((item, index) => {
+            const key = this.cacheKey(item.text, mode, model);
+            const cached = this.cache ? this.cache.get(key) : null;
+            if (cached) results[index] = { ...cached, cached: true };
+            else misses.push({ item, index, key });
+        });
+
+        if (misses.length) {
+            const response = await this.request('/v1/systemone/batch', {
+                method: 'POST',
+                body: JSON.stringify({
+                    states: misses.map(({ item }) => item.text),
+                    model,
+                    questions: {
+                        language: {
+                            type: 'choice',
+                            instructions: 'Identify the language of this text.',
+                            criteria: { fr: 'French', en: 'English', es: 'Spanish', other: 'Another language' }
+                        }
+                    }
+                })
+            });
+            if (!response || !Array.isArray(response.results) || response.results.length !== misses.length) {
+                throw new LayaRequestError('Laya runtime returned an invalid batch response', 502);
+            }
+            misses.forEach(({ item, index, key }, responseIndex) => {
+                const answer = response.results[responseIndex]?.answers?.language;
+                const result = {
+                    id: item.id ?? index,
+                    language: answer?.choice || 'unknown',
+                    confidence: answer?.answer_confidence ?? answer?.confidence ?? 0,
+                    cached: false
+                };
+                results[index] = result;
+                if (this.cache) this.cache.set(key, mode, model, { ...result, cached: undefined });
+            });
+        }
+        return { runtimeAvailable: true, model, results };
+    }
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+    ALLOWED_MODELS,
+    LayaRequestError,
+    LayaService,
+    MODEL_DIR,
+    clearDirectoryContents,
+    validateBatchPayload
+};
diff --git a/test/channelLanguageFusion.test.js b/test/channelLanguageFusion.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..33417c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/channelLanguageFusion.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+const test = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const fusion = require('../public/js/services/channelLanguageFusion.js');
+
+const algo = {
+    language: { code: 'fr', label: 'French', confidence: 70, status: 'medium' },
+    languageScores: { fr: 70, en: 30 },
+    languageEvidence: [{ code: 'fr', weight: 60, type: 'name-prefix', value: 'FR' }]
+};
+
+test('Laya-only mode maps backend confidence and language', () => {
+    const result = fusion.applyLanguageMode(algo, { language: 'en', confidence: 0.88 }, 'laya');
+    assert.deepEqual(result.language, { code: 'en', label: 'English', confidence: 88, status: 'high' });
+    assert.equal(result.languageEvidence[0].type, 'laya');
+});
+
+test('hybrid mode combines Laya and algorithm evidence', () => {
+    const result = fusion.applyLanguageMode(algo, { language: 'en', confidence: 0.9 }, 'hybrid');
+    assert.equal(result.language.code, 'en');
+    assert.ok(result.languageScores.en > result.languageScores.fr);
+    assert.deepEqual(result.languageEvidence.map(item => item.type), ['name-prefix', 'laya']);
+});
+
+test('hybrid mode safely preserves algorithm output without Laya', () => {
+    assert.equal(fusion.applyLanguageMode(algo, null, 'hybrid'), algo);
+});
+
+test('batch descriptors contain only safe metadata in the backend id/text contract', () => {
+    const descriptor = fusion.buildLayaDescriptor({
+        sourceId: 4,
+        name: '|FR| Sports',
+        groupTitle: 'Sports',
+        sourceName: 'Provider',
+        tvgId: 'sports.fr',
+        url: 'https://user:secret@example.test/live'
+    }, '4:channel-1', algo);
+    assert.deepEqual(Object.keys(descriptor), ['id', 'text']);
+    assert.equal(descriptor.id, '4:channel-1');
+    assert.match(descriptor.text, /sourceId: 4/);
+    assert.doesNotMatch(descriptor.text, /secret|https:\/\//);
+});
diff --git a/test/channelVariantGrouping.test.js b/test/channelVariantGrouping.test.js
index 882d1e8..f337edb 100644
--- a/test/channelVariantGrouping.test.js
+++ b/test/channelVariantGrouping.test.js
@@ -59,3 +59,19 @@ test('favorites group updates are disabled for flat lists', () => {
     assert.equal(grouping.shouldUseFavoritesGroup('flat'), false);
     assert.equal(grouping.shouldUseFavoritesGroup('grouped'), true);
 });
+
+test('Laya language results participate in variant selection', () => {
+    const lowQualityFrench = channel('1', 'Sports One SD');
+    const highQualityEnglish = channel('2', 'Sports One 4K');
+    const languageResults = new Map([
+        [grouping.getVariantKey(lowQualityFrench), { language: 'fr', confidence: 0.92 }],
+        [grouping.getVariantKey(highQualityEnglish), { language: 'en', confidence: 0.94 }]
+    ]);
+    const logical = grouping.groupChannels([lowQualityFrench, highQualityEnglish], {
+        languageMode: 'laya',
+        languageResults,
+        preferredLanguage: 'fr'
+    })[0];
+    assert.equal(logical.preferredVariant.id, '1');
+    assert.deepEqual(logical.availableLanguages.map(item => item.code), ['fr', 'en']);
+});
diff --git a/test/layaService.test.js b/test/layaService.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89733cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/layaService.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+const test = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const fs = require('fs/promises');
+const os = require('os');
+const path = require('path');
+const {
+    LayaRequestError,
+    LayaService,
+    clearDirectoryContents,
+    validateBatchPayload
+} = require('../server/services/layaService');
+
+test('status reports an unavailable runtime without throwing', async () => {
+    const modelDir = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'nodecast-laya-status-'));
+    const service = new LayaService({
+        modelDir,
+        cache: null,
+        fetch: async () => { throw new Error('connection refused'); }
+    });
+    const status = await service.status();
+    assert.equal(status.runtimeAvailable, false);
+    assert.equal(status.modelPresent, false);
+});
+
+test('model deletion remains limited to the configured model directory', async () => {
+    const parent = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'nodecast-laya-delete-'));
+    const modelDir = path.join(parent, 'models');
+    const sentinel = path.join(parent, 'keep.txt');
+    await fs.mkdir(path.join(modelDir, 'nested'), { recursive: true });
+    await fs.writeFile(path.join(modelDir, 'nested', 'model.bin'), 'model');
+    await fs.writeFile(sentinel, 'keep');
+
+    await clearDirectoryContents(modelDir);
+
+    assert.deepEqual(await fs.readdir(modelDir), []);
+    assert.equal(await fs.readFile(sentinel, 'utf8'), 'keep');
+});
+
+test('batch validation rejects oversized item counts', () => {
+    assert.throws(
+        () => validateBatchPayload({ items: Array.from({ length: 65 }, (_, id) => ({ id, text: 'channel' })) }),
+        error => error instanceof LayaRequestError && error.statusCode === 413
+    );
+});
diff --git a/test/settingsDefaults.test.js b/test/settingsDefaults.test.js
index b836d69..9de8178 100644
--- a/test/settingsDefaults.test.js
+++ b/test/settingsDefaults.test.js
@@ -5,3 +5,7 @@ const { getDefaultSettings } = require('../server/db');
 test('defaults Live TV channel lists to grouped mode', () => {
     assert.equal(getDefaultSettings().liveChannelListMode, 'grouped');
 });
+
+test('defaults language detection to the safe algorithmic mode', () => {
+    assert.equal(getDefaultSettings().languageDetectionMode, 'algo');
+});