Su Zifeng came to China to release AMD AI roadmap and three strategic priorities
When AI shines on PCs, it reignites the battle in the long-dormant "sunset" industry.
In the second half of 2023, chip and computer terminal manufacturers are quietly moving in the direction of AI PCs. The year 2024 is even referred to as "marking a significant shift from traditional PCs to AI PCs." It is expected that by 2025, AI PC shipments will exceed 100 million units, accounting for 40% of the total PC shipments.
Today, AMD held an AI PC Innovation Summit in Beijing. AMD's Chairman and CEO, Lisa Su, was present at the event, where she unveiled AMD's AI roadmap and shared AMD's three strategic focuses. Regarding the future of AI PCs, she said: "I believe that everyone in the world will need an AI PC in the future."
The countdown to the obsolescence of traditional computers has begun, and the AI PC storm is approaching.
01
AMD AI PC is coming
Today, AMD CEO Lisa Su shared AMD's three strategic focuses.
First, a broad and diverse combination of training and inference computing engines. AMD will offer the widest range of high-performance products, as well as the most energy-efficient engines, including CPUs, GPUs, and new NPUs required for training and inference.
Second, open and mature software capabilities. AMD will focus on the ecosystem, an open, verified, and developer-friendly software platform that allows all leading artificial intelligence frameworks, libraries, and models.Thirdly, a deeply collaborative and innovative AI ecosystem. AMD collaborates with world-leading brands to truly co-innovate and bring artificial intelligence solutions to the market.
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The explosive growth of AI is driving the booming development of AI PCs, and AMD AI PCs in China can be said to have the right timing, location, and people.
Last year, AMD launched the Ryzen 7040, which is the world's first x86 processor to integrate an NPU on the processor. As an important AI PC engine, the NPU works together with the CPU and GPU to optimize the right capabilities for every artificial intelligence application.
Subsequently, AMD released the Ryzen 8040 processor. The Ryzen 8040 series, with the development codename Hawk Point, is still based on the Zen4 CPU architecture, RDNA3 GPU architecture, and XDNA NPU architecture. By further tapping into potential, especially by increasing the frequency and efficiency of each part, it brings an even higher level of AI performance.
Among them, the NPU AI performance computing power has been increased from 10 TOPS to 16 TOPS, an astonishing 60% increase, also increasing the overall computing power from 33 TOPS to 39 TOPS. The Ryzen 8040 processor is designed for AI PCs.
The Ryzen 7040 and 8040 are just the beginning. Dr. Lisa Su showed AMD's AI roadmap for Ryzen, and this year AMD will also launch the next generation Strix Point Ryzen processor. This processor will bring more artificial intelligence computing, enhanced by the new Zen 5 core, RDNA 3, and a new NPU driven by XDNA 2.
Dr. Lisa Su also revealed that XDNA 2 is a significant advancement in leading generative AI performance, offering 3 times the NPU performance of the Ryzen 7040 series.
02
What is an AI PC?
Dr. Lisa Su said: "If you look closely at an AI PC, this is a completely new category of devices."With an AI PC, you can do everything better.
It can record meetings in real-time and automatically summarize them. Moreover, we can envision the PC actually becoming a more efficient personal assistant, as we can use natural language to search for files. Thereby, creating richer content in a shorter amount of time.
For many creators, it can also run local models to process text-to-image and text-to-video conversions. From a productivity standpoint, an AI PC can also help analyze data and make better decisions. Local data can be used more securely and efficiently.
AMD, in collaboration with Microsoft, has taken the lead in scaling the application of NPU-driven Windows 11 Studio effects. Currently, AMD possesses an end-to-end AI infrastructure composed of CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, etc., covering cloud, HPC, enterprise, embedded, and PC, especially with the addition of NPUs, AI PCs are facing unprecedented opportunities. AMD has also received ecological support from more than 150 ISV software partners, including many Chinese manufacturers and applications.
03
Intensive Launch of AI PC Products
The industry generally positions 2024 as the inaugural year for AI PCs.
In terms of hardware, semiconductor manufacturers represented by AMD and Intel have introduced brand-new processors equipped with Neuromorphic Processing Units (NPUs).
Intel has launched a new generation of processors for AI PCs — the Core Ultra. This processor uses the Intel 4 process, representing the biggest innovation in Intel architecture in 40 years. Unlike regular upgrades, the Core Ultra is the first to feature a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), offering 2.5 times the energy efficiency of the previous generation. Intel states: "We aim to provide processors for 100 million AI PCs."
NVIDIA has released three GeForce RTX 40 SUPER series GPUs at CES, including the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, and GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER. They will serve as the core of AI PCs, providing ultra-powerful performance for the latest games.In the software realm, Microsoft has decided to introduce a physical key for AI assistant Copilot into computers equipped with Windows 11, with the first batch of devices expected to hit the market this month. It's worth noting that the last significant change in the layout of Windows PC keyboards was three decades ago.
On the terminal side, HP, Dell, ASUS, MSI, and others have all indicated their intention to launch AI PC products, among which Lenovo and Honor have already unveiled their new AI-enabled devices.
Lenovo believes that AI PCs will become personal AI assistants for everyone in the future. The future AI PCs will have five major characteristics: embedded personal large models, natural interaction intelligent entities; embedded personal knowledge bases; equipped with local heterogeneous AI computing power of CPU+GPU+NPU; connected to an open AI application ecosystem; and protecting personal privacy and data security.
Lenovo Group estimates that by the end of this year, the market share of high-end products such as AI PCs will account for about 10%. At this year's CES 2024, Lenovo launched more than 10 AI PC models in one go, including the Yoga Pro 9i that empowers the creative process, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid, the world's first laptop that can seamlessly switch between laptop and tablet modes, the world's first business AI PC ThinkPad X1 Carbon AI, and the new generation of ultra-small ThinkCentre neo Ultra, among others.
At today's AI PC Innovation Summit, Liu Jun, Executive Vice President of Lenovo Group and President of the China region, announced that the world's first AI PC with the five characteristics will be unveiled at Lenovo's Technology Innovation Conference on April 18th.
In addition, Shi Wenhong, Global Vice President of ASUS Computers, also stated at the conference that AI PCs can drive a new round of device upgrades. Currently, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus 14 Air laptop, ASUS Tianxuan, ASUS a-bean, and ASUS Fearless all feature the AMD Ryzen 8040 chip.
At the same time, Acer's new Swift series AI PC is also set to officially launch in the Chinese market next month.
On the 13th of this month, Honor held its first AI PC technology communication meeting in Beijing. The star of this communication meeting was the MagicBook Pro 16, which attracted much attention from overseas media at the just-concluded MWC24. This is the first AI PC of Honor's notebook series.
This AI PC is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor at its highest configuration and supports up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. It features smart search capabilities, enabling intelligent document and photo searches, and also offers AI document summarization, AI subtitle translation, AI note-taking, and other interactive application functions.
Honor has continuously invested 10 billion yuan in AI research and development, completed more than 2000 AI patents, and hopes to fully empower Honor notebooks with AI in 2024.Betting on AI PCs: What's at Stake?
In essence, when so many companies are betting on AI PCs, they are fundamentally betting on the opportunity for a reconfiguration of the industry chain. Liu Jun, President of Lenovo Group's China region, described AI PCs in an interview as "very much like the PC industry 24 years ago."
The sluggish global PC market sales have been a recurring topic for many years. The emergence of AI PCs is considered by industry insiders as a rare opportunity for the PC industry in decades, for two main reasons.
Firstly, AI PCs can enhance the premium pricing ability of PC products. AI PCs that have been or will be released this year have seen an increase in pricing to varying degrees. Compared to similar specification PCs without an integrated NPU, PCs with AI capabilities command a price premium of 10% to 15%.
Secondly, the monopolistic hold of the Wintel alliance is expected to be broken. In the era of traditional PC development, the Windows+Intel alliance was able to capture profits due to its monopolistic nature, but this status will change in the era of AI PCs.
Therefore, overall, AI PCs will drive changes in the entire industry chain's value distribution chain, which is a profound impact on the industry.
The PC industry is on the cusp of its third generational upgrade after "home computers" and "internet computers," which is the AI PC era based on large model technology. Dr. Lisa Su said, "As we look at the entire ecosystem, what we see is the opportunity for us to provide artificial intelligence throughout the infrastructure."
ConclusionChina is one of the most dynamic and promising markets, and the Chinese market has become a global barometer for technology trends and directions. The users here are the most passionate and imaginative.
As the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac arrives, it is also the year of the AI PC's takeoff, with the entire industry driving innovation, technology, and cooperation in AI PCs. Let us step into the new era of AI PCs together with AMD.
When AI shines on PCs, it reignites the battle in the long-dormant "sunset" industry.
In the second half of 2023, chip and computer terminal manufacturers are quietly moving in the direction of AI PCs. The year 2024 is even referred to as "marking a significant shift from traditional PCs to AI PCs." It is expected that by 2025, AI PC shipments will exceed 100 million units, accounting for 40% of the total PC shipments.
Today, AMD held an AI PC Innovation Summit in Beijing. AMD's Chairman and CEO, Lisa Su, was present at the event, where she unveiled AMD's AI roadmap and shared AMD's three strategic focuses. Regarding the future of AI PCs, she said: "I believe that everyone in the world will need an AI PC in the future."
The countdown to the obsolescence of traditional computers has begun, and the AI PC storm is approaching.
01
AMD AI PC is coming
Today, AMD CEO Lisa Su shared AMD's three strategic focuses.
First, a broad and diverse combination of training and inference computing engines. AMD will offer the widest range of high-performance products, as well as the most energy-efficient engines, including CPUs, GPUs, and new NPUs required for training and inference.
Second, open and mature software capabilities. AMD will focus on the ecosystem, an open, verified, and developer-friendly software platform that allows all leading artificial intelligence frameworks, libraries, and models.Thirdly, a deeply collaborative and innovative AI ecosystem. AMD collaborates with world-leading brands to truly co-innovate and bring artificial intelligence solutions to the market.
Advertisement
The explosive growth of AI is driving the booming development of AI PCs, and AMD AI PCs in China can be said to have the right timing, location, and people.
Last year, AMD launched the Ryzen 7040, which is the world's first x86 processor to integrate an NPU on the processor. As an important AI PC engine, the NPU works together with the CPU and GPU to optimize the right capabilities for every artificial intelligence application.
Subsequently, AMD released the Ryzen 8040 processor. The Ryzen 8040 series, with the development codename Hawk Point, is still based on the Zen4 CPU architecture, RDNA3 GPU architecture, and XDNA NPU architecture. By further tapping into potential, especially by increasing the frequency and efficiency of each part, it brings an even higher level of AI performance.
Among them, the NPU AI performance computing power has been increased from 10 TOPS to 16 TOPS, an astonishing 60% increase, also increasing the overall computing power from 33 TOPS to 39 TOPS. The Ryzen 8040 processor is designed for AI PCs.
The Ryzen 7040 and 8040 are just the beginning. Dr. Lisa Su showed AMD's AI roadmap for Ryzen, and this year AMD will also launch the next generation Strix Point Ryzen processor. This processor will bring more artificial intelligence computing, enhanced by the new Zen 5 core, RDNA 3, and a new NPU driven by XDNA 2.
Dr. Lisa Su also revealed that XDNA 2 is a significant advancement in leading generative AI performance, offering 3 times the NPU performance of the Ryzen 7040 series.
02
What is an AI PC?
Dr. Lisa Su said: "If you look closely at an AI PC, this is a completely new category of devices."With an AI PC, you can do everything better.
It can record meetings in real-time and automatically summarize them. Moreover, we can envision the PC actually becoming a more efficient personal assistant, as we can use natural language to search for files. Thereby, creating richer content in a shorter amount of time.
For many creators, it can also run local models to process text-to-image and text-to-video conversions. From a productivity standpoint, an AI PC can also help analyze data and make better decisions. Local data can be used more securely and efficiently.
AMD, in collaboration with Microsoft, has taken the lead in scaling the application of NPU-driven Windows 11 Studio effects. Currently, AMD possesses an end-to-end AI infrastructure composed of CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, etc., covering cloud, HPC, enterprise, embedded, and PC, especially with the addition of NPUs, AI PCs are facing unprecedented opportunities. AMD has also received ecological support from more than 150 ISV software partners, including many Chinese manufacturers and applications.
03
Intensive Launch of AI PC Products
The industry generally positions 2024 as the inaugural year for AI PCs.
In terms of hardware, semiconductor manufacturers represented by AMD and Intel have introduced brand-new processors equipped with Neuromorphic Processing Units (NPUs).
Intel has launched a new generation of processors for AI PCs — the Core Ultra. This processor uses the Intel 4 process, representing the biggest innovation in Intel architecture in 40 years. Unlike regular upgrades, the Core Ultra is the first to feature a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), offering 2.5 times the energy efficiency of the previous generation. Intel states: "We aim to provide processors for 100 million AI PCs."
NVIDIA has released three GeForce RTX 40 SUPER series GPUs at CES, including the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, and GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER. They will serve as the core of AI PCs, providing ultra-powerful performance for the latest games.In the software realm, Microsoft has decided to introduce a physical key for AI assistant Copilot into computers equipped with Windows 11, with the first batch of devices expected to hit the market this month. It's worth noting that the last significant change in the layout of Windows PC keyboards was three decades ago.
On the terminal side, HP, Dell, ASUS, MSI, and others have all indicated their intention to launch AI PC products, among which Lenovo and Honor have already unveiled their new AI-enabled devices.
Lenovo believes that AI PCs will become personal AI assistants for everyone in the future. The future AI PCs will have five major characteristics: embedded personal large models, natural interaction intelligent entities; embedded personal knowledge bases; equipped with local heterogeneous AI computing power of CPU+GPU+NPU; connected to an open AI application ecosystem; and protecting personal privacy and data security.
Lenovo Group estimates that by the end of this year, the market share of high-end products such as AI PCs will account for about 10%. At this year's CES 2024, Lenovo launched more than 10 AI PC models in one go, including the Yoga Pro 9i that empowers the creative process, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid, the world's first laptop that can seamlessly switch between laptop and tablet modes, the world's first business AI PC ThinkPad X1 Carbon AI, and the new generation of ultra-small ThinkCentre neo Ultra, among others.
At today's AI PC Innovation Summit, Liu Jun, Executive Vice President of Lenovo Group and President of the China region, announced that the world's first AI PC with the five characteristics will be unveiled at Lenovo's Technology Innovation Conference on April 18th.
In addition, Shi Wenhong, Global Vice President of ASUS Computers, also stated at the conference that AI PCs can drive a new round of device upgrades. Currently, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus 14 Air laptop, ASUS Tianxuan, ASUS a-bean, and ASUS Fearless all feature the AMD Ryzen 8040 chip.
At the same time, Acer's new Swift series AI PC is also set to officially launch in the Chinese market next month.
On the 13th of this month, Honor held its first AI PC technology communication meeting in Beijing. The star of this communication meeting was the MagicBook Pro 16, which attracted much attention from overseas media at the just-concluded MWC24. This is the first AI PC of Honor's notebook series.
This AI PC is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor at its highest configuration and supports up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. It features smart search capabilities, enabling intelligent document and photo searches, and also offers AI document summarization, AI subtitle translation, AI note-taking, and other interactive application functions.
Honor has continuously invested 10 billion yuan in AI research and development, completed more than 2000 AI patents, and hopes to fully empower Honor notebooks with AI in 2024.Betting on AI PCs: What's at Stake?
In essence, when so many companies are betting on AI PCs, they are fundamentally betting on the opportunity for a reconfiguration of the industry chain. Liu Jun, President of Lenovo Group's China region, described AI PCs in an interview as "very much like the PC industry 24 years ago."
The sluggish global PC market sales have been a recurring topic for many years. The emergence of AI PCs is considered by industry insiders as a rare opportunity for the PC industry in decades, for two main reasons.
Firstly, AI PCs can enhance the premium pricing ability of PC products. AI PCs that have been or will be released this year have seen an increase in pricing to varying degrees. Compared to similar specification PCs without an integrated NPU, PCs with AI capabilities command a price premium of 10% to 15%.
Secondly, the monopolistic hold of the Wintel alliance is expected to be broken. In the era of traditional PC development, the Windows+Intel alliance was able to capture profits due to its monopolistic nature, but this status will change in the era of AI PCs.
Therefore, overall, AI PCs will drive changes in the entire industry chain's value distribution chain, which is a profound impact on the industry.
The PC industry is on the cusp of its third generational upgrade after "home computers" and "internet computers," which is the AI PC era based on large model technology. Dr. Lisa Su said, "As we look at the entire ecosystem, what we see is the opportunity for us to provide artificial intelligence throughout the infrastructure."
ConclusionChina is one of the most dynamic and promising markets, and the Chinese market has become a global barometer for technology trends and directions. The users here are the most passionate and imaginative.
As the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac arrives, it is also the year of the AI PC's takeoff, with the entire industry driving innovation, technology, and cooperation in AI PCs. Let us step into the new era of AI PCs together with AMD.