At the MWC 2025, Lenovo showcased its latest innovations, diving deep into AI-powered hardware territory. Alongside its usual lineup, Lenovo also presented intriguing prototypes that hint at a potentially exciting future. Among these was a solar-powered Yoga PC with a matching charging unit, but stealing the limelight was the AI Display proof-of-concept. Equipped with its own Neural Processing Unit (NPU), this monitor aims to bring advanced AI capabilities even to non-AI PCs. Lenovo envisions this as part of their “smarter technology for all” initiative, allowing such PCs to utilize large language models (LLMs) and an AI assistant without needing an in-built NPU. However, specific details regarding the NPU’s performance were not disclosed.
What truly stands out about this AI Display is its ability to automatically adjust—rotating, elevating, and tilting—to offer optimum ergonomics. As someone who spends countless hours in front of a monitor, the idea of a screen that can make real-time adjustments to ease strain is incredibly appealing. Yet, how this will function in practical scenarios is something we’re eager to experience firsthand.
At the other end of the spectrum, Lenovo also unveiled the AI Stick, a compact NPU that slots into any Thunderbolt-enabled PC. This device boasts 32 TOPS of AI power—enough to enhance AI graphics and run Lenovo’s AI Now software, although it falls short of the 40 TOPS required for Windows 11’s Copilot+ features. As a concept device, these specs could certainly evolve if it gears up for a market release. The AI Stick is about the size of an external SSD, making it portable enough for those on the move.
The concept of AI-powered peripherals is not alien to Lenovo; last year’s ThinkCentre neo Ultra introduced a discrete NPU, albeit ahead of its technological time. The device promised future functionality via a software update but, back then, remained dormant. This NPU packed 40 TOPS, suitable for handling more demanding AI tasks like Copilot+.
The AI Stick, while impressive in its domain, isn’t vying to compete against the likes of NVIDIA’s powerful GPUs, which offer over 1,300 TOPS. Instead, it serves as a convenient addon for casual users. This addition can offload certain tasks from the CPU and GPU, potentially increasing a system’s overall efficiency and adding a layer of privacy by keeping data processing local.
However, whether the AI Stick warrants a spot in most setups remains questionable—unless it develops further utility alongside Lenovo’s AI Now suite. So, what exactly is Lenovo AI Now? It’s a sophisticated assistant that combines hybrid large models and personal databases for more intuitive user interaction.
AI Now is divided into two main branches:
- Knowledge Assistant: This offers a secure working environment, retrieving information and generating text from personal knowledge—all processed locally to uphold privacy.
- PC Assistant: It simplifies PC setup with intelligent features that enhance performance without the need for specialized knowledge.
While Lenovo promises that AI Now will expand with new features, availability will vary regionally. Considering the AI Stick doesn’t support Copilot+ yet, future enhancements of the AI Now could potentially unlock significant value for users looking to augment their systems.
