Lenovo Group's Intelligent Devices Group President, Luca Rossi, shared the company's vision for the future of personal computing during an interview with the "Nikkei Economic News." Rossi stated that by 2027, all new Lenovo PCs will be AI-enabled, equipped with the necessary hardware such as GPU (Graphics Processing Units) and NPU (Neural Processing Units) to handle AI applications smoothly.

Lenovo has already begun to roll out its AI PC series, starting with high-end models in markets like China, the United States, and Japan. Rossi noted the strong interest in AI PCs from users in the U.S. and China, where the company is focusing its initial launch efforts.

According to the latest data from IDC, Lenovo holds a leading position in the global PC market, accounting for nearly 23% of shipments in the second quarter of 2024. Rossi sees AI PCs as a catalyst for new demand, predicting a stable market this year with growth resuming in 2025 and 2026, with expected growth rates between 5% and 10% for 2025, and around 5% for 2026.

A significant driver for this growth is the need to update PCs that are 3 to 5 years old, with Rossi estimating that over 300 million devices are due for an upgrade. Additionally, the impending end of support for Windows 10 by Microsoft in 2025 is another factor that could accelerate the shift to AI PCs.

Lenovo is developing AI PCs with consideration for language, culture, and legal regulations in each market. Rossi mentioned that the company is designing many AI functionalities in-house and will collaborate with partners in different regions.

In China, Lenovo has leveraged general large models like Ali Tongyi Qianwen to make a series of cutting-edge technological innovations, leading the industry in launching a true AI PC equipped with personal large models and intelligent agents.

Rossi anticipates that AI PCs will capture nearly 10% of the market share this year and could reach 50% to 60% by 2026. Olivier Blanchard, Research Director at Futurum and a PC market expert, believes that the value of AI features will gain attention and accelerate demand for AI PCs as users begin to experience the ease they bring to their work and life.

Beyond PCs, Lenovo aims for double-digit growth in its smartphone business within the next two to three years. Since acquiring Motorola Mobility from Google in 2014, Lenovo's profitability has improved, thanks to a robust market in Latin America and successful operations in North America. Rossi identified Europe and Asia as the next growth markets, with a particular focus on Japan and India due to demand for high-end products.