“Every PC will be an AI PC in four, maximum five years” — Lenovo lays out a radical vision for computing’s future at IFA

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At IFA 2025, held annually in Berlin, Lenovo showcased an impressive array of new hardware. This included a TrackPoint-less ThinkPad in a striking Glacier White finish, innovative foldable phones, AR glasses, gaming handhelds, and laptop prototypes – demonstrating a comprehensive range of their latest offerings.

During the IFA event, Luca Rossi, Lenovo’s Executive Vice President and President of the Intelligent Devices Group, delivered the keynote speech. Afterward, I had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion with him.

The topic? AI and AI PCs, of course.

Although there are increasing worries that AI might trigger a massive market bubble, the reality is that only a small fraction (approximately 5%) of AI projects progress beyond their initial stages. Additionally, concerns about AI replacing jobs for young professionals at an accelerated pace are valid. Nevertheless, Lenovo’s executive team remains optimistic that AI-centric computers are poised to dominate the market entirely.

All PCs will be AI PCs within five years — here’s how that happens

As a tech enthusiast looking at Lenovo’s AI PC advancements, it’s fascinating to note that by the year 2025, global AI PC adoption has reached approximately 5%. Remarkably, Lenovo currently holds around 30% of this market share, and Rossi predicts a significant increase in our market presence, aiming for a staggering 50% within the next year or a year and a half.

According to Rossi’s forecast, it’s likely that every personal computer (PC) will transform into an artificial intelligence (AI) PC within the next 4-5 years.

Instead, it might be more accurate to say: It’s not unreasonable to think that advanced AI features and applications are fueling this growth. Regrettably, these haven’t been developed yet. Even if they were, as per Rossi’s belief, a large portion of consumers may not fully comprehend or actively search for AI capabilities.

As an observer, I can share that a significant number of users seem to have a grasp on their AI, yet it appears not everyone has fully embraced its potential. However, I must clarify I don’t have specific percentages, but the majority doesn’t seem overly familiar with advanced AI features.

Luca Rossi, Lenovo

Right now, the AI PC market is largely being driven by hardware.

AI-equipped PCs, as Rossi puts it, are often “streamlined and high-quality, offering a battery life of up to 12 hours.” This makes them quite enticing, even without focusing on the AI element. The ASUS Zenbook A14 from 2025, one of the top Windows laptops we’ve ever reviewed when disregarding the AI factor, serves as an excellent example of this.

Another point to consider is the predicament of Windows 10 reaching its end-of-life phase, which is pushing numerous users to replace their computers earlier than planned. Despite this, Rossi anticipates that the expansion of AI in PCs will persist once the chaos caused by the Windows 11 upgrade subsides, though the pace might be slightly slower than what experts have projected.

PC hardware is ready for AI; now the software must catch up

As a researcher looking back, I’d say that the true advent of AI-powered PCs can be traced to the year 2024, marking a significant milestone when Microsoft unveiled the Copilot+ laptops, boasting exceptional AI features exclusively designed for Windows 11.

Initially, only Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X System-on-Chips (SoC) boasted a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of handling the Copilot+ features. However, Intel and AMD soon followed suit, and now it’s common to find PCs with Copilot+ support that incorporate processors from all three brands.

In simpler terms, Rossi refers to 2024 as the year when foundations for AI hardware were laid solidly. The following year, 2025, can be perceived as a time where this hardware advanced significantly, with enhanced Neural Processing Units (NPUs) becoming capable of executing AI functions locally without the need for cloud support.

According to Rossi, it’s now the software’s moment to shine in the upcoming period. He points out Microsoft and Adobe as frontrunners, but numerous Lenovo’s Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) are eagerly vying to leverage local AI hardware as well.

In this section, we’re discussing an area where the software industry is still developing, but according to our knowledge and discussions with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), around 80 to 100 of these vendors are currently adapting their applications to leverage Neural Processing Units (NPUs) within CPUs for task execution.

Luca Rossi, Lenovo

According to Rossi, he hasn’t yet revealed the standout AI application that will serve as the key attraction for an AI-centric computer, as it has yet to be developed.

Rossi contends that Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are fresh inventions, having been available for sale just a few years ago. Given their recent inception, the software associated with them hasn’t had enough time to fully develop. Rossi draws an analogy between the AI software sector and the early phase of smartphone app stores, where finding standout apps was challenging due to their scarcity and initial immaturity.

Contrast that with today, and it’s clear that there are literally hundreds of applications we’ve come to depend on for navigating our contemporary lives.

Regarding Copilot+ PCs, although Microsoft has put much effort into promoting their initiative, it seems to have not piqued the interest of many users yet. My fellow team member, Richard Devine, has shared his thoughts on Copilot+, mentioning that even a year after its launch, he remains uninterested in it.

The future of AI computing is intent-based

Although we haven’t yet obtained the AI application that would make AI computers essential, Rossi predicts that the future of computing is heading towards an “intent-driven” or “purpose-focused” era.

Lenovo’s hardware is designed to work with both Windows and Android operating systems, and for now, these systems are continuing their presence. However, Rossi envisions a futuristic aid, dubbed as “super agent,” which could seamlessly combine various brands and ecosystems while prioritizing user intent in the near future.

This implies that the system or the assistant will learn your preferences and automatically initiate the required application or task for you, progressively over time. Essentially, there will be an intelligent layer, acting as the agent or super-agent.

Luca Rossi, Lenovo

Rossi clarifies that in China, super agents (AI entities) are currently present, effortlessly integrating artificial intelligence across computers, laptops, smart devices such as wearables, and mobile phones.

Through its dual-ecosystem OEM role and collaborative relationships with CPU manufacturers, Rossi posits that Lenovo holds an exceptional advantage to lead the way in shaping the future of artificial intelligence computations.

According to Rossi, this novel strategy is expected to instigate a gradual evolution in hardware design. Instead of the traditional notebooks we’re accustomed to, there will be an emergence of features like voice control, gestural input, and contextual awareness that could potentially replace keyboards and mice.

Rossi posits that wearable technology such as augmented reality (AR) glasses offers the greatest opportunity for artificial intelligence (AI) integration. Due to their familiarity and comfort, eyeglasses are well-suited for use by humans, allowing AI functionalities to be seamlessly integrated within our immediate visual surroundings.

Absolutely, factors such as computational capabilities, battery endurance, and advancements in lens technology are essential considerations we need to address.

It’s all gas and no brakes for Lenovo’s AI ambitions

According to Lenovo’s predictions, the artificial intelligence (AI) PC market is expected to ultimately replace the traditional PC market. This transformation would involve super agents effortlessly merging various platforms and devices, while the advanced AI software becomes indispensable for everyday use.

Do you look forward to that future involving AI, or do you have doubts about the imagined AI future? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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2025-09-10 22:41