There is a Janus-like quality to the global technology market right now. While there are still huge shortages of high-performance AI servers powered primarily by H100 GPUs from Nvidia, demand for PCs, smartphones, and other client devices remains weak.
As more client devices with on-device AI processing capabilities appear on the market, the industry hopes that the market will grow. Intel, for example, aims to ship 100 million AI PCs based on the Intel Core Processor. Qualcomm is similarly bullish on the potential of AI-enabled smart phones and laptop PCs with its latest Snapdragon 7/8 and Snapdragon X Elite processors.
The challenge for Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD is speeding up the development of powerful new applications that will convince businesses and consumers of the need to purchase a new AI-enabled smartphone or PC. While longer battery life and improved privacy are useful benefits, it is not clear that they are enough to persuade people to dip into their pockets during tough economic times.
To facilitate the creation of applications that take advantage of the AI capabilities of its Intel Core Ultra processors, Intel announced earlier this week the launch of its AI PC Developer Program. Part of the company’s AI PC Acceleration Program announced in October last year, this new initiative is tailored for software developers and independent software vendors (ISVs), providing access to an array of tools, including AI-deployment frameworks, workflows, and developer kits featuring the Asus NUC 14 Pro mini-PC. A comprehensive resource hub will enable easy access to toolkits, documentation, and training specifically focused on AI PC and client applications.
Intel views the AI PC Developer Program as a significant step in enhancing the global scale of its AI PC ecosystem that will lead to improved application compatibility and performance as well expanded global market opportunities for participants. It will be interesting to see the impact the program has in bridging the divide between AI servers and client devices.
Long time technology industry fan here in Taiwan.
