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Forward-looking: Whether we like it or not, computer manufacturers are going all in on "AI PCs." While they have consisted of less than groundbreaking Copilot keys and generally generic AI software integration, OEMs will undoubtedly continue to innovate to make their products more useful, relevant, and unique. Lenovo's latest proof of concept is a case in point.
Lenovo unveiled a new concept laptop that can use AI to automatically track where the user is and even unfold into different modes via voice commands. It's an intriguing new concept that follows Lenovo's deep track record with experimental form factors.
Dubbed the "Auto Twist AI PC," its display sits on a motorized hinge that can twist itself around. An integrated AI tracks and follows users' movements, which could be useful for video calls. Responding to the "Hi Twist" keyword, it can also transform into tablet form or open itself to laptop mode on command.
After viewing an in-person demo, The Verge noted that while the voice commands worked well, the motorized hinge was relatively slow. It took about 10 seconds to switch between modes. It would be much easier to fold manually like every other 2-in-1 laptop. In fairness, Lenovo bills the Auto Twist as a proof of concept meant to showcase how adaptable computers can be when powered by AI. If it were ever to see a release, the company would likely make many improvements.
While this could be a fantastic concept, more moving parts means more points of failure. One could easily see the hinge quickly breaking down from repeated use.
Additionally, it doesn't seem like this solves any particular problem, making it little more than a gimmick.
"We're still experimenting with that," said Lenovo Communications Director Jeff Witt when asked about the lack of practicality. "A lot of these concepts don't come to market, but you may see elements of them down the line. It's got face tracking; it's basically a video conferencing system built into a laptop. There's a lot of accessibility potential."
Microsoft and its hardware partners have been heavily pushing the adoption of the AI PC concept. Lenovo was the leading vendor among AI-capable Windows PCs this year. Interestingly, if you define an AI PC as a computer capable of running dedicated AI workloads, Apple holds the edge with its Neural Engine M-series processors.
Earlier this year, IDC predicted that AI PCs would make up almost 60 percent of PC shipments by 2027. Given the intense push by all major tech companies, AI will likely be a big part of computing, whether using software like ChatGPT or Google Gemini or even hardware, as demonstrated by Lenovo's Auto Twist.
Dell saw a 38-percent increase in hardware infrastructure revenue as companies scramble to introduce AI workloads in their businesses. Nvidia became the world's most valuable company in June thanks to its GPUs being the go-to choice for machine-learning developers. The company will also likely introduce dedicated AI PC chips to compete with other silicon manufacturers.