Intel has muddied the AI PC waters by sharing some of Microsoft's requirements while also claiming that its own take on the concept has Intel silicon at its heart.

The PC industry is banking on the AI hype bubble not bursting any time soon. Expensive new hardware is heading to the shelves in the hope of invigorating an industry that had previously bet on the requirements of Windows 11 driving a hardware refresh, only to be left disappointed by sluggish sales.

Intel unveiled its AI PC concept in December with the launch of the Core Ultra processor family, which combines a CPU, GPU, and a neural processing unit (NPU). Yesterday, it added a pair of new AI initiatives as part of the AI PC Acceleration Program, including the AI PC Developer Program and the addition of independent hardware vendors.

But the question remains: what exactly is an AI PC? From Intel's standpoint, it's pretty much anything running Core Ultra with an integrated NPU. For Microsoft, it's something with new NPU, CPU, and GPU-powered silicon - not necessarily Intel's - as well as Copilot and the infamous Copilot key.

Any halfway decent PC - ideally with a GPU - is capable of running AI workloads. However, as Microsoft demonstrated with its controversial Windows 11 hardware requirements, having enough raw power for the task at hand might not always qualify.

Microsoft launched its own range of AI PCs last week as new Surface devices with keyboards sporting that all-important Copilot key and Intel's AI PC chip lurking within.

AMD has its own approach and claims "millions of Ryzen AI PCs have now shipped to every major OEM," although all must have the Copilot key to qualify for Microsoft's approval. Other chipmakers, like Qualcomm, have similarly jumped on the AI bandwagon.

Besides the chip requirements and the inevitable demand for a Copilot key, Microsoft has not revealed what else an AI PC might need. For example, how much memory will qualify? It has also not gone into detail regarding what NPU will be needed.

All of which adds to the understandable confusion surrounding the platform and amplified warnings that holding fire on purchases until the dust has settled would be prudent.

Some customers have already been stung by purchasing new hardware that Microsoft then made obsolete, thanks to the Windows 11 hardware requirements. The AI PC waters will need to clear to reveal more than just a Copilot key before the PC industry stands a chance of the buying wave it craves.

The Register asked Microsoft for a list of AI PC requirements and will update this piece if one is forthcoming. ®

https://www.theregister.com//2024/03/27/microsoft_ai_pc/