TL;DR:
- The laptop industry’s focus on performance gains is reaching a plateau.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming the new frontier for laptop innovation.
- Qualcomm showcases AI-driven features powered by the Hexagon processor.
- AMD introduces Ryzen 7040 Series with dedicated AI hardware for laptops.
- MSI demonstrates AI-powered software for intelligent performance settings and image generation.
- On-device AI for laptops is just the beginning, promising a revolution in the market.
Main AI News:
In the realm of laptops, performance has always taken center stage. Over the years, remarkable advancements in performance have not only accelerated workloads but also unlocked new possibilities like gaming and video editing on the go.
However, the pursuit of performance gains seems to have reached a plateau in recent times. While new generations of AMD and Intel chips continue to push the boundaries, the difference in performance has become less noticeable to the average user. Consequently, laptop manufacturers are now seeking innovative avenues to revolutionize the industry. If Computex 2023, one of the largest computing trade shows in the world, is any indication, it appears that the laptop industry is placing its bets on artificial intelligence (AI).
During the event, major technology companies, including Nvidia and Qualcomm, made artificial intelligence the focal point of their keynotes. This comes as no surprise, considering the recent releases of impressive AI models like ChatGPT and Google Bard. Notably, Qualcomm’s conference drew significant attention in the context of laptops. While it is common for laptop chip manufacturers to boast about clock speeds and power efficiency, Qualcomm took a different approach, placing a heavy emphasis on generative AI.
Alex Katouzian, Qualcomm’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Mobile, Compute, and XR, stated, “The PC experience is being further transformed by artificial intelligence and generative AI, taking creativity, multimedia, and productivity to entirely new levels and enabling an exciting array of applications.” This statement underscores Qualcomm’s commitment to harnessing the power of AI to enhance the laptop experience.
Qualcomm has had its fair share of challenges with its Snapdragon chips on Windows devices. Compatibility issues have affected the performance of numerous Windows apps, and Snapdragon’s power is outmatched by its competitors from AMD and Intel, confining it to the lower end of the market. However, when it comes to artificial intelligence, Qualcomm’s laptops have undeniably excelled, thanks to the Hexagon processor integrated into its chips. The Surface Pro 9, equipped with a custom Qualcomm chip, has introduced a range of AI-driven features, including background noise cancellation, automatic framing, and gaze correction during video calls.
At Computex 2023, Qualcomm showcased a host of AI-powered features and software that are set to expand further. One standout example was the Luminar Neo app, which utilizes artificial intelligence to edit and enhance photos. When sharpening an out-of-focus image of a race car, a laptop equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8Cx Gen 3 chip and the prized Hexagon processor took merely 8 seconds to complete the process. In contrast, an average CPU would take over two minutes for the same task, making Qualcomm’s processor a staggering 14.4 times faster, all thanks to its advancements in AI performance.
Qualcomm is not the only chip manufacturer making significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence. Earlier this year, AMD unveiled its new Ryzen 7040 Series of laptop processors, featuring dedicated hardware for accelerating AI and machine learning workloads. At Computex 2023, I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the capabilities of the Acer Swift Edge 16, one of the pioneering laptops to feature a processor from the Ryzen 7040 Series. Acer confirmed that this laptop would offer similar AI-powered webcam features as the Surface Pro 9, including automatic framing, gaze correction, and advanced background blur. While a direct comparison to a Snapdragon-powered laptop is yet to be made, it is evident that AMD is also keen on harnessing the potential of AI features.
Moreover, MSI, a prominent laptop manufacturer, unveiled some exciting AI-powered software exclusive to their future laptops. The first of these features, called ‘Smart Auto,’ intelligently detects the application you are currently using on your laptop and automatically adjusts performance settings and features accordingly. For instance, during gaming sessions, Smart Auto boosts the laptop’s performance and activates your preferred RGB lighting settings on the keyboard. On the other hand, while streaming Netflix, it dims the keyboard backlight to minimize distractions and optimizes performance settings to maximize battery life. While users can customize these settings according to their preferences, the convenience of seamless background adjustments between workloads is undeniably appealing.
The second AI feature demonstrated by MSI is called ‘AI Artist.’ By providing a description of the desired image, the app’s artificial intelligence rapidly generates a unique image. What sets this application apart is that it does not rely on an internet connection; all the image generation happens locally using MSI’s software and the AI engine integrated into Nvidia’s RTX 4000 Series GPUs (with a minimum requirement of an RTX 4060 chip). During the demonstration, MSI’s software effortlessly created an image of Albert Einstein seated in an office and even a painting of a cat donning a suit. While concerns about copyright implications in AI persist, the technological prowess displayed by MSI is truly remarkable. The company aims to launch this AI-powered software later this year.
This is just the beginning of the AI revolution in laptops. With major chip manufacturers focusing their efforts on developing and improving AI engines, we can expect a surge in AI-powered software. AI is set to transform the laptop market and reshape our perception of performance. As laptops continue to evolve, artificial intelligence will undoubtedly be the driving force behind their remarkable transformation.
Conclusion:
The laptop industry is undergoing a significant shift as performance gains no longer serve as the primary driver for user upgrades. Instead, artificial intelligence has emerged as the key focus for manufacturers. Qualcomm’s advancements with the Hexagon processor showcase the potential of AI-powered features, such as background noise cancellation and automatic framing.
AMD’s dedication to dedicated AI hardware in their Ryzen 7040 Series further solidifies the importance of AI in the laptop market. Moreover, MSI’s AI-powered software highlights the convenience and creativity that AI brings to laptops. The growing emphasis on on-device AI signals a transformative period for the market, where AI-powered software and capabilities will play a vital role in shaping the future of laptops.
