Sponsored by Intel.
There are some exciting new developments in AI, and we’re at the beginning of a truly transformative era, thanks largely to innovations led by companies such as Intel.
Intel’s recent advancements in AI technology, particularly Intel vPro PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra processors, are setting a new benchmark for what professional devices can do.
With a strategic shift towards local AI processing, Intel is mitigating the traditional reliance on cloud services, which cuts costs and significantly boosts data privacy and processing speeds.
I spoke with Robert Hallock, Intel’s Vice President and General Manager, Client AI and Technical Marketing, to learn more about what Intel is doing with AI.
Robert believes the integration of AI capabilities directly into PCs will drive the most significant change in personal computing in 20 years.
A significant development enabling this shift is Intel’s new Core™ Ultra Processor. It is designed to optimise AI software performance by efficiently splitting tasks between the CPU, GPU, and a new component – the Neural Processing Unit or NPU.
This will allow AI PCs to provide enhanced experiences with marketing & content creation, productivity assistance, and privacy controls, all powered by on-device AI.
Importantly, these new AI uses can happen locally without an internet connection, opening up new possibilities for offline AI use cases.
Intel and Microsoft have co-defined the definition of AI PC. It is a PC with a dedicated copilot key, and it brings new AI experiences in productivity, creativity, and security through a combination of the CPU, GPU, and the new NPU from Intel.
In the latest episode of the Digitally Curious Podcast, Robert and I looked at the business case for the AI PC.
Robert explained that the AI PC transformation will bring permanent changes to computer design and processor capabilities, improving performance and power efficiency. The ability to perform traditionally processor-intensive AI tasks locally will benefit knowledge workers who aren’t always connected and need to prioritise data security.
We discussed how the AI PC distributes work between the CPU, GPU, and NPU depending on the application to provide the best performance and battery life.
Robert explained how the Intel Core AI processor offers 5-10 times faster performance and power efficiency for AI workloads compared to traditional CPUs.
As cybersecurity risk increases, companies must provide more localised threat detection as new and more complex threats emerge. Traditionally, this comes at the expense of processor and battery efficiency.
A key benefit of an AI PC powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor will be the improved capacity for AI powered threat detection offered by Intel Threat Detection Technology within the Intel vPro® platform.
Intel is working with the developer and manufacturer ecosystem to ensure they maximise the opportunities an AI PC can bring. Robert outlined how Intel is launching AI PCs with 100 software vendors and 300 AI features this year.
We also discussed how Intel is working with companies like CrowdStrike to offload AI models to NPUs for better performance and security.
It’s now becoming clear that organisations must adopt AI capabilities to remain competitive, as classic corporate software rapidly adopts AI and disadvantages non-adopters.
Looking towards the future, Intel expects 8 out of 10 computers to have AI accelerators by 2028, significantly expanding AI adoption.
As corporates load devices with more AI enablers, this will drive the need for more powerful hardware as AI models will become more complex, advancing text-to-speech and image recognition.
Whether you’re a business leader looking to harness the power of AI for competitive advantage or an IT Professional keen to understand the vision for AI integration in personal computing, this episode is for you.
You can watch the entire episode at podc.st/intel and find out more about Intel’s vision for AI PCs Built for Business at intel.ly/3J6g0MP
If you don’t have the time to watch or listen to our discussion right now, here are five key messages from our conversation regarding Intel’s role and future vision in AI:
Local AI Processing Advantages: Robert highlighted the shift towards local AI processing on PCs, emphasising cost savings, enhanced security, and greater privacy. He pointed out that running AI algorithms directly on devices eliminates the need for expensive cloud computations and reduces data exposure risks.
Integration of AI Capabilities in PCs: Robert described how Intel has been pioneering the development of AI PCs in collaboration with Microsoft. These systems integrate AI capabilities directly into the processor, utilising a combination of CPU, GPU, and a new component, the Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This integration optimises tasks like AI workloads to be processed more efficiently and at lower energy costs.
AI’s Impact on Workplace Efficiency: One of the transformative impacts of AI technology discussed is its potential to automate mundane tasks, thus freeing employees to focus on more strategic and impactful work. Robert gives examples such as automating email drafting, meeting minute taking, and processing spreadsheets, which can significantly boost productivity in the workplace.
Security Enhancements Through AI: Robert explained how AI can enhance security measures within technology infrastructures. Companies can significantly improve their threat detection and response capabilities by using AI to handle security tasks, such as detecting unusual patterns or automating complex security protocols.
Future of AI in PCs: Looking forward, we looked at how AI integration in PCs will continue to grow, with AI accelerators becoming a standard component across all computers by 2028.
Robert envisions a future where AI capabilities are commonplace and a fundamental aspect of computing technology, driving performance and efficiency.