AI laptops set to revolutionise personal computing in 2024

This year has seen a significant focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to boost productivity, prompting a major shift in the landscape of personal computing.

As AI technology continues to evolve, it is increasingly integrating into daily life, impacting activities from search queries to gaming.

With the advent of AI laptops, 2024 is projected to be a pivotal year for this technology. AI laptops are becoming more accessible to consumers worldwide, signalling a new era in personal computing.

AI applications' popularity includes tools like intelligent image editing software and real-time voice translation assistants. However, these advancements traditionally rely on cloud processing, leading to issues such as lag and security concerns.

Derek Chen, Vice President of Global Business and Marketing at MSI, explained the evolving landscape: "The growth of AI services and applications is particularly exciting because it's shifting from a purely cloud-based model to a 'cloud-plus-edge' approach."

He elaborated on the benefits, adding, "Processing power isn't solely concentrated in massive data centres; it's increasingly moving to the edge of the network – your laptop, in this case."

Local data processing on AI laptops can reduce latency, offering a significant advantage for real-time applications like facial recognition or voice translation. Faster speeds are another benefit, as local processing eliminates the delay associated with cloud-based systems.

For example, MSI's "MSI AI Artist" processes image generation directly on the laptop, achieving speeds up to seven times faster than cloud-based methods. The edge approach also enhances security by keeping sensitive data on the device, minimising transmission risks.

Chen highlighted the user benefits of this shift: "Users will notice not only faster performance but also extended usage time. Equipped with dedicated computing units for AI, the AI-powered laptops significantly reduce power consumption." He cited the background blur function in video conferences as an example, which uses less power on AI-powered laptops, thus extending battery life.

The demand for AI interfaces on client devices like laptops is surging, driving the rapid expansion of AI applications in personal computing. Companies such as Microsoft, Intel, and Adobe are integrating AI into their software, recognizing the shift toward user-centred AI capabilities. Intel forecasts that over 60% of new software and features will be AI-driven in the near future. Currently, more than 500 AI applications are optimized for Intel's Lunar Lake processors.

AI laptops are designed to handle complex tasks locally, eliminating the need for constant cloud connectivity. Industry forecasts from IDC, Canalys, Gartner, and Digitimes predict that AI laptops will command a 30% market share by 2025, indicating a trend toward intelligent computing devices.

MSI has been investing in AI research and development since 2018. Derek Chen noted, "Our initial vision was simple: to enable users to optimise their laptop's performance effortlessly, eliminating the need for complex settings."

According to Chen, MSI's collaboration with companies like NVIDIA has enabled the development of intelligent AI-driven applications tailored to diverse user needs, from gamers to business professionals.

MSI's "MSI AI Engine" operates in the background, learning user habits to make real-time adjustments to performance, audio, visuals, and other settings. For instance, during a video conference, the system activates "MSI AI Noise Cancellation Pro," which enhances image quality and audio clarity by automatically adjusting relevant settings.

MSI has also introduced several AI tools to spur creativity, such as "MSI AI Artist," which allows users to quickly generate images from text or existing images. This tool produces both JPG files and layered Photoshop files for further editing. Future updates will enable natural language commands, simplifying system adjustments with phrases like "Extend battery life."

For those dealing with large amounts of documents or data, "MSI AI Chat" can analyse content, summarise information, and answer questions—all processed offline to ensure privacy.

At the IFA, Europe’s largest consumer electronics show, MSI introduced eight new AI laptops that feature Intel Lunar Lake and AMD Strix Point processors. These processors enhance AI computing capabilities, ensuring improved performance and extended battery life. The latest MSI models meet Microsoft's Copilot+ PC standards, designed to optimise AI-driven tasks.

MSI offers a variety of AI-equipped laptops catering to different user needs, including gaming, content creation, business, and productivity. These models, featuring high-performance AI processors and NVIDIA graphics, are aimed at enhancing user experiences in gaming, software development, and creative tasks. The integration of AI capabilities directly on the laptop ensures faster performance and better data security.