The rise of Enterprise AI is creating a seismic shift in the technology landscape, comparable in impact to the rise of smartphones in the mid-2000s. And just like then, the impact we’re seeing now is more than a trend or “phase”; it’s fundamentally reshaping how we live and work.
For businesses, embracing AI is no longer optional and empowering employees to apply it in their daily lives is crucial. The launch of the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan is testament to this, highlighting that success for all businesses, regardless of size and sector, depends on having the tools they need to reach their full potential. This means giving businesses, particularly start-ups and scale-ups, the tools they need, including revamped PC estates, IT infrastructure and access to top AI talent. By fostering this environment, the plan promises multiple benefits, including improved productivity and efficiency, while giving businesses a clear competitive advantage powered by AI.
What’s more, analysts predict that employees with an AI-enabled PC will benefit from tools that are more responsive to their needs than ever before. Technology providers also promise that these devices represent a significant leap forward from traditional computing, delivering a powerful mix of processing power and intelligent features that can redefine and improve processes across organizations. In fact, recent research from Workday’s UK Productivity Gap report found that British enterprises using AI could unlock up to £119 billion in productivity.
Despite the significant benefits the devices offer, some business leaders are still hesitant to invest due to questions about ROI and a lack of solid use cases.
Senior Director for Client Solutions Group, UK at Dell Technologies.
Cost and investment accountability
The higher price of AI PCs, which stems from their specialized hardware and integration complexity, is causing hesitation, especially against a challenging economic backdrop. This reluctance may lead some decision makers to make selective investments, for example in technical roles such as data scientists or AI specialists, rather than equipping all mainstream business users. Many rationalize this approach by pointing to the potential costs for early adopters, as well as limitations in choice and case studies.
The rapid evolution of technology can make long-term planning challenging; it’s difficult to justify the potentially substantial upfront investment without a clear and immediate return on investment. However, decision makers should keep in mind that many organizations are ready, or overdue, for a refresh now. If they don’t invest in AI-enabled PCs early in the refresh period, the organization risks missing out on crucial innovation and productivity gains until it’s time for the next replacement cycle. When we also consider the Windows upgrade cycle, with hardware requirements that older devices can’t meet, the decision may be based less on the risk of buyer’s remorse and more on ensuring the company is future-proofing its team members.
Tellingly, our Innovation Catalyst research revealed a widespread understanding across EMEA that AI will play a transformative role in industries. Businesses are accepting that the integration of AI tools will soon become inevitable and largely unavoidable. The research also suggests that businesses across EMEA are broadly optimistic about the ability of AI-powered machines to significantly augment human capabilities.
I am personally fascinated by what a future defined by AI will look like and what effect the transformative power of AI PCs will have on our workforce.
Increasing human potential
AI-enabled PCs aren’t just about raw computing power. Our research found that business leaders also believe AI-enabled PCs are designed to amplify human ingenuity, acting as intelligent partners that can streamline workflows, automate repetitive processes and provide instant access to information. This frees up more time for strategic thinking and creative problem-solving, which are critical to driving innovation and achieving business success in today’s competitive landscape.
According to the UK Productivity Gap report, employees would save 2.9 hours if they embraced the full potential of AI. This would free them up to spend more time on strategic thinking and creative problem solving to drive innovation and achieve business success in today’s competitive landscape.
Increased productivity and efficiency should lead to faster turnaround times, improved project outcomes, and better use of available resources. And with features like Copilot+ built into AI PCs that provide instant access to information and insights, professionals can make smarter, data-driven decisions. Automating repetitive tasks and streamlining work also reduces the cognitive load on staff, leading to reduced stress levels and improved engagement.
Unprecedented productivity gains
When it comes to the hardware itself, dedicated AI processors (NPUs) seamlessly handle AI workloads, allowing CPUs and GPUs to run other applications with unparalleled efficiency. The device itself benefits from more intelligent processing and improved performance, which in turn unlocks new levels of efficiency and productivity for the end user.
With dedicated NPUs, AI-enabled PCs can simultaneously process AI-intensive tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning, without compromising the performance of other applications. This allows professionals to run complex simulations, analyze large datasets, and perform other demanding tasks while maintaining a smooth and responsive user experience. The potential for AI to revolutionize productivity is significant, with the International Monetary Fund estimating that the UK could see long-term productivity gains of up to 1.5 percent.
These capabilities of AI-enabled PCs are especially beneficial for professionals who need to work on multiple projects or applications simultaneously. For example, a designer can simultaneously edit high-resolution images, run 3D rendering software, and communicate with clients via video conference, all without lag or performance issues.
Maximize ROI with enhanced services
Research by Zartis in partnership with Censuswide found that 42% of UK executives say return on investment following an AI PC refresh is a primary concern. Prioritizing a seamless transition that maximizes value and minimizes disruption is key, encouraging businesses to take the plunge and demonstrating that the initial investment can be offset by leveraging comprehensive service offerings available through technology partners.
Partners who facilitate connection to a broader ecosystem of software and expertise can provide tremendous support during the transition. They can assist with strategic planning and implementation, using their deep knowledge of AI technologies and best practices to help organizations avoid common pitfalls and minimize costly downtime.
Likewise, proactive monitoring and maintenance services provided by partners ensure optimal performance at all times. These services include regular software updates, hardware diagnostics, and remote support, so that AI PCs are continuously operating at peak efficiency.
Intelligent services powered by AI can analyze patterns in device usage and identify opportunities for optimization. In this way, services can provide tailored insights and recommendations on how best to improve performance, reduce costs, and enhance the user experience. By continuously monitoring and optimizing the PC fleet through AI, organizations can better derive value and support business objectives, ultimately leading to improved ROI.
AI and PCs are becoming more ubiquitous in the workplace, especially for organizations looking to equip their workforce with the technology and skills they need to thrive in the modern workplace. GenAI is the next big leap forward for PC technology, promising to bring unprecedented levels of productivity and efficiency to businesses worldwide. Just as the introduction of the PC revolutionized the way we work 40 years ago, GenAI will shape the future of the PC human experience, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.
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