Luca Rossi, president of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, explains how artificial intelligence is driving the golden age of personal computing.
I remember the day I built my first PC. It was the late 1980s, in the basement of my childhood home, surrounded by a bulky CRT monitor, a mechanical keyboard, and a mix of circuit boards. This wasn’t just assembling a machine; it was my initiation into the exciting new world of personal computing. There was a rush of excitement the moment I powered it on and saw the cursor blinking on the screen. I was entering into a new realm, filled with endless possibilities. This was an era when personal computers were not just tools but gateways to uncharted digital territories—the first golden age of the PC.
Now, in the aftermath of the pandemic-driven PC boom, the tech world is buzzing with anticipation for what could be the next big wave: AI PCs. So the question is this: Can this new technology trigger a second golden age for the PC market?
AI at the forefront of a PC rebound
Analysts certainly seem to think so. The pandemic catalyzed an extraordinary growth spurt in the PC market, driven by a sudden, global pivot to remote work and digital learning. As we move into 2024, industry forecasts from Lenovo and tech analysts anticipate a pivotal shift, marking a rebound and evolution of this market, primarily through the integration of AI.
We expect the PC market to stabilize, showing moderate year-over-year growth from 2024. This resurgence will primarily be driven by advancements in AI technologies, particularly the proliferation of AI chipsets and the alignment of software rollouts with new neural processing unit (NPU) technology. AI PC share is then predicted to see significant growth between 2025 and 2026.
What’s an AI PC—and why?
So what is an AI PC, and why do we need them? AI PCs, in a nutshell, are a new generation of computers that transcends traditional upgrades, such as better graphics or slimmer designs. Unlike their predecessors, AI PCs are embedded with advanced AI capabilities directly in their hardware and software. This integration allows for faster, more efficient processing of complex AI tasks, reducing reliance on cloud connections and minimizing latency. As consumer trends show a growing appetite for devices that offer smarter, more intuitive user experiences, AI PCs meet this demand by providing enhanced personalization, learning user preferences, and adapting functionalities accordingly. Basically, AI PCs ‘know’ the user, offering an unprecedented level of personalization and intuitive interaction.
Today, we’ve grown accustomed to using cloud-based large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT or Bard, for various AI tasks. Their responses are helpful, but often generic, trained based on public foundation models. AI PCs, however, will respond to queries with personalized ideas based on your past work and preferences, knowing instinctively what you want, offering more relevant help while maintaining security. Cloud-based public LLMs, while powerful, process data over external servers, which can raise concerns about data privacy and security. But AI PCs process data locally on personal or private foundation models, making them more secure and reliable in low-bandwidth environments.
Over time, these models will proactively adapt to your needs, essentially becoming your ‘personal AI twin.’
In our view, the future of AI-enhanced PCs revolves around four core principles:
- They never stop learning.
- Their personal foundation models make them uniquely yours while safeguarding your privacy.
- They possess a dynamic knowledge base that adapts to you.
- They’re designed for natural and intuitive interactions.
The coming commercial PC transformation
That’s why businesses are gearing up for the eventual integration of AI PCs. According to Canalys, the commercial PC market is expected to experience robust growth in the next few years. This transition is seen as a pivotal moment for the widespread adoption of AI-capable PCs in the business world. With IDC projecting that the AI PCs could lead to one of the biggest shifts in commercial PC history, the anticipation is that this integration will happen fast. The release of AI-enhanced Windows versions and the integration of AI tools into commercial software will speed up this market expansion.
The potential impact of AI PCs across various industries is substantial. In the context of hybrid work, demand for AI-enabled tools for digital experience management, security, and mobile device management has soared. Lenovo’s research indicates that a vast majority of employees see AI as a key factor in maintaining productivity, with a preference for a blend of AI and human interaction.
Challenges such as tool adequacy and collaborative efficiency, particularly among hybrid workers, as noted by Gallup, are areas where AI PCs can make a significant difference. For IT decision-makers, prioritizing AI PCs could mean benefiting from instant response, client context, enhanced privacy, mobility, cost savings, and reduced power consumption.
Redefining the hybrid work model
AI PCs will transform the hybrid work model. AI PCs allow for instantaneous response with minimal latency on AI workloads, enhanced client context where the PC adapts to user behavior and needs, and robust privacy and security, as sensitive data remains local, reducing cloud-related vulnerabilities. What’s more, the mobility of AI applications allows for seamless work on the go, even offline. Another plus is cost efficiency. AI PCs are less reliant on cloud computing and storage fees for AI workloads—while their optimized NPU-driven power consumption not only boosts performance but also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions.
Indeed, the hybrid work model has significantly influenced the development and growth potential of AI PCs. There’s a growing demand for AI enhancements in virtual meetings and collaborative spaces, such as gaze detection, noise cancellation, and automatic transcription services. This shift has accelerated the need for AI-powered digital experience management tools, advanced security solutions, and more sophisticated mobile device management systems.
2024: The dawn of AI PCs
If Lenovo’s commitment to the AI PC market is any indication, then the PC industry is all in. Our company has earmarked $1 billion for AI-driven innovation over the next three years, signaling its dedication to developing generative AI software solutions. These advancements are expected to encompass a range of applications, from virtual assistants and local search tools to image generation technologies, catering to evolving user needs in gaming and learning.
At the heart of Lenovo’s AI advancements is the development of the Lenovo LA-2 AI chip. This chip, now integral to Lenovo’s select flagship PCs, such as Lenovo Legion and Yoga, offers accelerated AI processing capabilities, enabling rapid data analysis and boosting the user experience across a range of devices.
The future of AI PCs is not without its challenges though, including concerns around data privacy and the need for continuous innovation to keep pace with changing demands. But the potential benefits—such as enhanced digital experiences, robust security measures, and efficient resource management—underscore the transformative impact that AI PCs will have on our lives.
As we look beyond 2024, the trajectory of AI PCs is clear. These computers are poised to become an integral part of our digital ecosystem, reshaping how we interact with technology and each other. The rise of AI PCs is more than just a technological trend; it’s a gateway to a smarter and more connected golden age of PCs. It will be just as exciting as the first.
This article was originally featured on Fortune at the following URL: https://brand-studio.fortune.com/lenovo/the-rise-of-AI-PCs/?prx_t=WOIIAAAAAAovEQA
Do you feel that 2024 is truly the dawn of AI PCs – and are you excited about what’s coming? What are your thoughts on the impact of AI PCs on hybrid and remote work?
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