At MWC 2025, Lenovo has been turning heads with some intriguing AI-powered innovations. While the spotlight was on their main announcements, the company also debuted a few proof-of-concept devices that hold potential for future releases. Alongside an innovative solar-powered Yoga PC and its accompanying charging unit, Lenovo introduced an AI Display concept. This monitor comes with its own Neural Processing Unit (NPU), designed to handle AI processes locally. According to Lenovo, this addition aligns with their vision of “smarter technology for all,” particularly benefiting PCs that don’t come with a built-in NPU.
One of the most exciting features of this AI monitor is its ability to adjust itself automatically—rotating, elevating, and tilting to provide the optimal viewing angle. For those of us who spend endless hours before a screen, having a monitor that takes care of the ergonomic details seems like a dream come true. Of course, the reality of how effectively this will work remains a question mark.
On the hardware front, Lenovo is also showcasing an AI Stick—a compact NPU that can be added discreetly to any Thunderbolt-equipped PC. With 32 TOPS of AI power, this little device is capable of running Lenovo’s AI Now, leveraging large language models and enhancing graphics with AI. This stick runs either on Thunderbolt power or an optional AC power for maximizing performance. However, its power specs currently fall short of what’s required for Windows 11’s Copilot+ features, which need at least 40 TOPS.
While still a concept, there’s speculation that the performance metrics could shift by the time it hits the market. Conveniently sized like an external M.2 SSD enclosure, this AI Stick is small enough to fit into a pocket, making it highly portable. Yet, Lenovo has kept mum about any release dates or pricing details.
In the wider picture, Lenovo seems unafraid to push the envelope with AI advancements across its product lineup. The ThinkCentre neo Ultra, which I reviewed not long ago, first introduced me to a discrete NPU. Unfortunately, it was a bit ahead of its time. The hardware boasted a Kinara Ara-2 NPU with 40 TOPS of power, but it wasn’t activated in my review model, with functionality promised in a future software update.
As for the AI Display concept, its exact power specifications are still unknown. Nevertheless, given its ambition to support LLMs and ergonomic adjustments, it’s expected to pack enough power to manage these tasks. On the other hand, the AI Stick clearly states its ceiling at 32 TOPS, which, while not competitive with the likes of an NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super, offers convenience by boosting AI performance without overloading the system’s CPU and GPU.
For certain users, the AI Stick will serve a purpose, especially since local AI processing means enhanced security as no data needs to be sent to the cloud. The catch is that, right now, the typical consumer may find it hard to justify purchasing this hardware. However, as AI tools become more integrated into everyday technology, devices like these could see a spike in demand.
This brings us to Lenovo’s AI Now platform. Unveiled quite recently, AI Now is practically Lenovo’s AI toolbox, utilizing “hybrid large models” combined with personal knowledge bases and natural language capabilities. It’s divided into two sections: the Knowledge Assistant, which helps with information retrieval and content generation, and the PC Assistant, which simplifies system setup and keeps your PC optimized, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
Lenovo plans to expand AI Now’s features soon, with variations potentially depending on your location. Given the AI Stick doesn’t currently support the most common NPU usage seen with Copilot+, it seems Lenovo is on track to enhance AI Now to provide sufficient functionalities to make this hardware a viable choice.
