Lenovo Sets Sights on AI-Ready Inventory for Intelligent Transformation
At the annual Tech World India 2024 event, Lenovo announced its ambitious goal of making 60 to 70 per cent of its devices AI-native by 2026. The company is aiming to drive intelligent transformation across industries by embracing AI technology in its products.
According to Luca Rossi, President and EVP at Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), Lenovo, the company sees a huge opportunity in the consumer space for AI integration, with plans to initially focus on the premium market segment. As the technology matures, Rossi anticipates that AI capabilities will eventually permeate throughout Lenovo’s entire product lineup.
During a media briefing at the event, other senior executives, including Matthew Zielinski, Vlad Rozanovich, Amar Babu, and Shailendra Katyal, shared insights into the company’s strategy and vision for the future. Rossi emphasized that productivity will be the primary focus in the initial phase of AI integration, with over 100 Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) developing AI workloads for Lenovo’s devices.
Lenovo also unveiled a range of AI-powered devices under its “AI for All” theme, including the Yoga Slim 7i, Yoga Pro 9i, IdeaPad Slim 5i, and ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The company made a bold commitment to its customers by stating that it will not charge extra for AI capabilities and features, in contrast to other tech giants like Amazon and Samsung, which are considering subscription-based models for AI services.
In addition to its AI endeavors, Lenovo also showcased its “Made in India” devices, aligning with the government’s push for locally manufactured laptops. This move reinforces Lenovo’s commitment to sourcing over 50 per cent of components for a specific range of products through local manufacturing, positioning the company in the Class 1 PMA category.
Shailendra Katyal, Managing Director of Lenovo India, highlighted India’s untapped potential in the PC market, citing low household penetration rates of only 10-12 per cent. He expressed optimism about the increasing demand for AI-powered devices as customers look to replace older PCs with more advanced technology.
The executives also emphasized the role of AI in enhancing productivity across various use cases, such as gaming and communication. They identified chatbots as a key technology that could improve productivity by 25-30 per cent for India, a country often dubbed the “back office of the world.” Furthermore, they acknowledged the unique demand for vernacular AI solutions in India and praised the country’s digital public infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Lenovo reiterated its long-term commitment to AI integration, describing it as a marathon rather than a sprint. The company plans to double its localization content for phones over the next two years and collaborate with industry bodies and the government to expand AI capabilities in the PC market. Additionally, Lenovo is preparing for an increase in memory and storage demands across its product portfolio, including PCs, phones, and even electric vehicles (EVs).
In conclusion, Lenovo’s push for AI-ready inventory and its emphasis on AI-native devices reflect the company’s ambitious vision for the future. By embracing AI technology, Lenovo aims to not only enhance the capabilities of its products but also drive intelligent transformation across industries, ultimately shaping the future of technology.