Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2024. Read them in this 16th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
AI Trends to Watch for in 2024
By Eric Yu, SVP & GM, WW SMB Segment at Lenovo
In 2023, the world witnessed a remarkable transformation with the advancements of generative AI and machine learning.
As we look forward, it is clear that AI will continue to redefine the tech landscape by unlocking new user experiences and transforming a variety of industries. These technological advancements open new possibilities to provide customers with enhanced AI solutions for their end-to-end operations, including improvements to computer vision, audio recognition, prediction, security and virtual assistants for every industry.
Artificial intelligence (AI) model development, which refers to the process of creating, training, testing, and deploying software programs that can perform and enhance tasks that require human intelligence, will also emerge as a key focus technology in 2024. This is because businesses will look to expand their own AI-enabled future, where they can leverage the power of data, algorithms, and computing resources to create innovative solutions for various domains and challenges. By adopting cloud-based Large Language Models and/or Personal AI solutions, companies will be able to provide their employees with smarter tools that can enhance their productivity, creativity, and decision-making, as well as offer their customers more personalized, convenient, and intelligent products and services.
AI-accelerated work
Technology can play an important role in helping workers maintain healthy and sustainable habits such as task prioritization and workload management leading to greater efficiency and balance. Many devices are already equipped with AI-driven software and accessories not only designed to accelerate the capabilities of today’s remote and hybrid workforces but also to address various challenges that arise in this era of work with heightened cyber-attacks and threats. Many Lenovo PCs are AI-enabled with enhanced video, audio and security features that use AI algorithms to enhance user experience. We will see this level of compute intelligence propel further in years to come as PCs begin to be embedded with neural processing units that power more personal generative AI natural language models.
These kinds of contextual AI are going to enhance job experiences, not make them obsolete. The coming years will see an era where our devices, particularly PCs, can learn our behavior and adapt in real time to optimize toward a more personalized user experience. Imagine efficiency improvements of personal AI summarizing the key actions from recent conference calls in a matter of seconds, or suggesting focus talking points for an upcoming meeting by analyzing content from personal emails and presentation files.
Personal AI models have the potential to free up our time so we can focus on more complex ‘human skills’ like creativity or problem solving and increase specialization. It is integral for enterprises to research solutions that can increase speed and efficiency at every stage of workflow because it directly impacts overall productivity and success. In today’s digital age, leveraging technology to optimize workflows can help businesses gain a significant competitive edge.
AI computing in a hybrid world
Technology unsuited to the specific tasks has the potential to inhibit both large enterprises and SMBs from accelerating digital transformation and improving the employee experience, which can be accentuated in a hybrid working environment. As some companies mandate the return to work, many are opting for hybrid working styles or more flexible policies. It is increasingly important to offer technology that supports flexibility, regardless of policy.
According to Gartner, 60% of the U.S. employees prefer to work in a hybrid setting, while 24% prefer to work remotely full-time. End-user computing with AI functionality will become increasingly important to hybrid workers as it allows for maximum efficiency and collaboration, whether it is sophisticated AI-assisted video conferencing, or more complex AI models that can offer much greater power and versatility to end user productivity without sacrificing security or data integrity. At Lenovo, we’re continuing to implement a multi-layer approach to security to ensure that hardware and software solutions built with integrated AI technology remain as secure as possible regardless of an employee’s work model.
Collaborating among remote peers with the support of tailored AI models will foster a sense of community among team members, increasing speed and efficiency, and encourage a culture of ownership and accountability.
AI-powered technologies to elevate job training
Powerful technologies like machine learning, deep learning and data science continue to accelerate as enterprises become more empowered to embrace their own AI-enabled futures. An additional benefit of the AI revolution is the intelligent personalization of technology can help foster continuous learning and development for employees.
By analyzing a worker’s behavior, preferences and performance, AI can offer personalized recommendations to better manage tasks and workflow, or even for further training and skill development. AI will have the capacity to recommend specific training courses and programs for teams or individual workers taking into account their current level, career goals and job responsibilities and align with business priorities and objectives. This proactive approach will allow workers to stay ahead of the curve, ensure their skills remain relevant, and continuously deliver a competitive business advantage.
Furthermore, AI model development can enable immersive and interactive training experiences. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies combined with machine learning can create realistic simulations that allow employees to practice skills in a safe and controlled environment. Digital worlds and communities can encourage skill sharing and mentorship and can help new employees navigate steep learning curves in new industries.
The shift from AI-assisted to AI PC is imminent, and it’s crucial for business leaders to comprehend the advantages of Personal AI and Cloud AI for their workforce and competitive edge. This applies to all industries and business sizes, whether it’s a small enterprise or a multinational corporation. Personal AI can enhance user experience by providing a more personalized interaction with their devices, which in turn can improve decision-making and optimize operations.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric Yu is responsible for the segment‘s global end-to-end business strategy. He also oversees Lenovo’s global monitors business and accessories business. With 20 years working across Lenovo business functions, Yu has a track record of understanding business needs and exceeding growth exponentially.
