Intel has launched two new initiatives aimed at getting developers and hardware manufacturers on board with its plan to make AI-enabled PCs a success.
The new AI PC Development Program and moves to add independent hardware vendors to Intel's portfolio. AI PC Accelerator Program are “critical milestones” in its plan to support the creation of 100 million Intel-based AI PCs by 2025, the company said.
Intel announced the launch of the program in October 2023 to offer hardware vendors and independent software vendors (ISVs) access to support, including AI toolchains, training, co-engineering, software optimization, hardware, design and technical expertise to help drive the AI PC era begins.
The definition of an AI PC is somewhat vague, but it is generally accepted that they will feature dedicated AI accelerators such as neural processing units (NPUs), plus new features for productivity, personalization, and better power efficiency.
Intel and Microsoft, for example, define an AI PC as one that comes with a new NPU plus the latest GPU and CPU, plus Copilot and a Copilot key.
Intel's plan seeks to boost developer interest
With its new AI PC Developer Program, Intel aims to expand its reach beyond large ISVs and engage with small and medium-sized gamers and even “aspiring developers.”
The scheme provides access to tools, workflows, AI implementation frameworks and developer kits that include the latest Intel hardware with the Intel Core Ultra processor.
Intel also wants hardware manufacturers to join its AI PC Acceleration Program, giving them the opportunity to prepare their hardware for the next wave of AI PCs.
They will gain access to Intel's Open Labs, which offer technical and co-engineering support in the early stages of the development phase of their hardware solutions and platforms.
Through this program, Intel provides reference hardware so that qualified independent hardware manufacturers can test and optimize their technology so that it works as efficiently as possible at launch.
With AI, much of the focus so far has been on the software that runs on PCs, but there could be many opportunities to use AI to optimize a variety of device functions, from cameras and displays to storage and memory. the company said.
If hardware or software developers can create compelling new AI-powered features, that could help make AI-enabled PCs the success manufacturers are looking for.
Intel has already onboarded 150 hardware vendors around the world in its AI PC Accelerator program, said Matt King, senior director of Intel's customer hardware ecosystem.
Intel said that with access to the latest Intel Core Ultra developer kits and software and optimization tools, developers can ensure their software and applications run smoothly on the latest Intel processors.
Similarly, optimizing software for specific hardware architectures early in the development cycle can lead to improvements in performance and efficiency.
Intel said it will bring more than 300 AI-accelerated features to market through 2024 with Intel Core Ultra processors in 230 designs from 12 global manufacturers.
AI PC Shipments Expected to Increase in 2024 and Beyond
Interest in AI-enabled PCs among both manufacturers and enterprises has increased in recent months.
Technology analyst firm Canalys predicts that around 48 million AI-enabled PCs will ship worldwide in 2024, about 18% of total PC shipments.
But this is just the beginning of a major market transition, with AI-enabled PC shipments expected to surpass 100 million by 2025, equivalent to 40% of all PC shipments.
Looking further ahead, within four years analysts estimate that vendors will ship 205 million AI-enabled PCs.
Canalys said this new emerging PC category should lead to a moderate increase in the overall PC market because it will tilt towards high-end PCs.
A 10% to 15% price premium is expected on AI-enabled PCs compared to PCs without NPU integration. By the end of 2025, he said, more than half of PCs priced at $800 or more will be AI-enabled, and this proportion will rise to more than 80% by 2028.
