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Artificial intelligence personal computers — what you might call an AI PC — are set to redefine how we work. They make work easier and faster, help people work together better, and encourage new ideas.
That’s the dream anyway, but we explore in-depth, with input from university professors and executives from the like of Lenovo. Will your next PC come with AI in-built? If so, what will you use it for?
AI PCs will absolutely redefine the way we work by opening up new possibilities for productivity and collaboration, says Tom Butler, executive director, worldwide commercial portfolio and product management at Lenovo.
“These intelligent devices will go beyond traditional computing by learning and adapting to individual user preferences,” he tells Techopedia.
“For example, imagine a PC that understands your work habits, automatically adjusting your settings based on the time of day, or writing emails in your preferred tone.”
AI PCs can take over routine, time-consuming tasks, such as scheduling meetings or sorting through data, allowing users to focus on higher-value, creative work, Butler says.
Key Takeaways
- AI PCs make work easier and faster, help people work together better, and encourage new ideas.
- An AI PC uses algorithms, machine learning, and natural language processing to provide personalized and efficient computer experiences.
- On-board AI can make a PC a personal assistant, from scheduling meetings to tailoring your workspace, and bring better security that constantly watches for threats.
- AI PCs offer real-time translation, transcription, and smart communication tools, and can mean sensitive data does not leave your machine.
How Does an AI PC Differ from a PC?
Satchit Hedge, assistant professor of computer science and coordinator for cybersecurity at Touro University, says AI PCs are basically regular computers with the addition of neural processing units (NPUs).
He said:
“NPUs are dedicated processing units on larger system-on-chips that are designed specifically for accelerating neural network operations and AI tasks, which makes handling computation-heavy tasks such as speech recognition, background blurring, video editing, and similar such processes and features much more efficient.”
Butler added that AI PCs are an “exciting evolution” in personal computing, integrating artificial intelligence to make the devices smarter, faster, and more intuitive for users.
“These systems use advanced algorithms, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP) to deliver personalized, efficient computing experiences.
“Whether it’s voice recognition, predictive analytics, or enhancing workflow, AI PCs offer a range of benefits.”
With new models arriving monthly, for instance, Intel AI PCs and Dell AI PCs are now coming to market, early adopters are figuring out how best to use them. Intel is pushing its 15th-gen “Arrow Lake” processor as AI-ready and has said previously that it expects to see 100m AI PCs ship across 2025.
Meanwhile, Apple is pushing the M4 chip and its incoming array of MacBooks as AI-enabled from the start.
And AI PCs are part of a larger trend of AI-capable hardware, with Apple (via Apple Intelligence) and Samsung (via Galaxy AI), among others, rushing to have AI-specific hardware onboard their latest smartphones, says Jen Clark, a director in EisnerAmper’s advisory / technology enablement group.
How AI PCs Will Change How We Work
Butler says that a real game-changer is how AI PCs enable smarter decision-making. By analyzing vast amounts of data in real-time, whether that’s local personal data or cloud data, they provide insights and recommendations that help users make faster, more informed decisions.
Hedge says upgraded computers can now run AI assistants directly on the device, manage and process large amounts of data, and even customize and fine-tune AI models.
“This makes it possible for the daily user to not only consume AI-powered content but use AI-powered software for applications that run natively and support it,” Hedge says.
“An AI assistant doesn’t just help find and organize files; it can also summarize information and suggest replies or actions,” Butler notes.
“This makes your PC more than just a tool — it becomes a smart assistant that learns from you and adjusts to your needs.”
However, Clark says that while AI PCs may change how we work eventually, they are still relatively new.
“It’s also unclear how much value they will provide in the short term, as software features that can take advantage of this capability are still emerging,” she explains.
Ways AI PCs Will Impact the Workplace
AI PCs are going to change the workplace in big ways, says Butler.
“First off, let’s talk about personalization,” he says. “AI PCs will tailor your workspace to fit you. They’ll learn your preferences, such as which apps you use most, how you work throughout the day, and even how you like your settings arranged.
“Every time you log in, your PC feels like it’s made just for you, with everything you need at your fingertips.
“No more wasting time on having the right applications ready for you and systems preferences set the way you like them; you can jump right into what matters most.”
Clark says the biggest difference will be stronger built-in workflows and better capabilities. As various tools, such as a Microsoft AI PC (CoPilot), improve to make better use of AI PC hardware, tasks that now feel slow or basic will become faster and more personalized.
In addition, before AI PCs were available, AI projects had to be run in the cloud because they required a lot of computing and processing power. This often led to high costs for everyone, from businesses and startups to students.
“Being able to run your own large language models locally significantly increases the scope of what engineers can hope to achieve without worrying about skyrocketing compute costs from cloud providers, such as AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure,” he explains.
Collaboration is also about to get a major upgrade as AI PCs make it easier for teams to work together, no matter where they’re located, according to Butler.
“With features like real-time translation, transcription, and smart communication tools, you can connect with colleagues across the globe.
“That means smoother teamwork, faster project turnarounds, and less time lost in miscommunication. It’s collaboration without the usual hiccups.”
Improved Security and Privacy
On the protection side, AI PCs have users’ backs, Butler says. They are equipped with advanced security that constantly monitors threats and automatically adapts to new risks as they arise.
“So whether it’s detecting potential cyberattacks or flagging unusual activity, these systems stay ahead of the curve to keep your data safe.
“Data privacy is a big deal, too. AI PCs can ensure that your sensitive information stays protected with encryption and smart monitoring, all while helping you comply with privacy regulations.”
Although AI PCs are designed with advanced security measures that go beyond traditional solutions, Butler adds that it would be irresponsible to suggest that AI PCs have solved security and privacy concerns.
While AI PCs can do AI tasks locally without having to send sensitive information to the cloud, AI tools, including ChatGPT and Google Gemini, still only run through the cloud.
“As with all new AI capabilities, a balanced view is required. By performing AI tasks locally, you don’t have to send sensitive information to the cloud, but those new capabilities may introduce new security risks.”
Hedge added: “Many [companies] were concerned about uploading carefully curated, expensive, and often proprietary content to the cloud, leading to a big investment in in-house large language models (LLMs) as well as hardware.
“AI PCs change this because they provide businesses with the assurance that their data does not leave their hardware and therefore does not leave them vulnerable to intellectual property theft, leaks, or other unfortunate events, such as a major cyberattack.”
The Bottom Line
Investing in AI PCs offers a competitive edge, but to unlock their full potential, companies should follow some key best practices, according to Butler.
For Clark, the major consideration is whether companies should invest or wait a bit longer.
“AI PCs are still very early in their overall capabilities,” she says. “While some software providers are building features that can take advantage of these PCs, there is still a lot of uncertainty around the effectiveness and value of these new tools.”
