HP has been at the forefront of integrating AI into its products as it seeks to provide cutting-edge capabilities to today’s workforce.
Its latest product lineup of AI PCS includes the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i, HP EliteBook X 14-inch and HP OmniBook Ultra Flip. The devices come with AI-powered processors, security features and collaboration tools.
Speaking to Economy Middle East at HP’s ‘Future of Work, leading a new era’ event, Cory McElroy, vice president – commercial product management at HP, highlights how AI-enabled laptops will improve productivity even as they balance performance with increased power consumption.
Edited excerpts:
What are some of the upcoming products at HP, particularly in terms of AI-enabled laptops? And what does the lifecycle of these laptops look like?
We’re in the early stages of launching our next-gen AI-enabled laptops. Recently, we introduced advancements with Qualcomm Snapdragon, AMD, and Intel processors. These developments are setting the stage for 2025, where we’ll see diverse price points and form factors. Our focus is on making interactions with PCs more natural, such as through voice commands and improved inking capabilities. We strive to ensure longevity in our products. Typically, commercial PCs have a lifecycle of about three to four years, and even older systems remain quite capable. However, AI is accelerating the need for updates. Our latest products, like the Copilot Plus PCs, have robust NPU capabilities with room for growth. The ecosystem around AI is just starting to leverage these capabilities, so users will see ongoing innovation in their current devices.
Read | Embracing tech as a key enabler highlights forward-thinking approach: HP’s Helena Herrero
How does AI impact energy consumption in these new laptops?
AI workloads do increase power consumption, but our designs aim to balance performance and energy efficiency. For example, moving workloads from a GPU to an NPU significantly reduces power usage, as NPUs are much more power-efficient. Additionally, we’ve developed a chip that accurately measures power consumption, which helps users and IT manage energy use better.
What about thermal management in these new devices?
We’ve implemented Smart Sense technology, which dynamically adjusts performance based on how the device is being used. For example, if a laptop is on someone’s lap, it reduces the skin temperature by increasing fan activity, keeping the device cooler and quieter. This adaptability enhances user comfort without compromising performance.
With these advancements, what will user interaction with PCs look like in the future and do you think users will easily adapt to these smarter PCs?
By 2026, we anticipate a shift in how users interact with PCs. Moving beyond traditional inputs like keyboards and mice, we’re exploring more natural interfaces such as voice commands and conversational AI. This could lead to PCs acting as active participants, helping users manage tasks more efficiently through agentic AI. While some users may need time to adjust, we’re working to simplify the user experience. For instance, Smart Sense optimizes settings automatically, reducing the need for manual adjustments. As users become more familiar with AI features, they’ll likely find these advancements intuitive and beneficial.
What are your priorities for 2026 and beyond?
Our focus is on enhancing the natural interaction between users and their PCs. We envision AI evolving from a tool that helps with specific tasks to one that assists comprehensively, like managing emails and assigning tasks. This shift will redefine the relationship users have with their PCs, making technology a more seamless and integral part of their lives.
Where do you see technology evolving in the next five years?
Predicting five years ahead is challenging, but I don’t foresee a scenario where people are eliminated by technology. Computing will likely advance to the point where commands can be given by PCs as easily as they are received from customers, but I see these as tools to enhance human capability rather than replace it.
How do you ensure that technology respects cultural differences and how do you address ethical concerns with AI and data?
We rely on feedback from our global teams who understand these nuances. For instance, when testing translation tools, we seek input from native speakers to refine accuracy. It’s about continuous improvement and ensuring the tools are reliable and culturally sensitive. We have a governance framework led by our chief AI and data officer. This framework ensures ethical data use and helps guide our development of AI tools. Balancing innovation with responsibility is key, and we actively engage in setting standards that governments are also trying to establish.
How do you see the role of technology evolving in human lives?
The future is both exciting and challenging. While technology offers solutions to human problems, such as in healthcare, it also presents new risks, like AI misuse. It’s crucial to ensure positive developments outpace negative ones. At HP, we aim to be a trusted partner in navigating these changes responsibly.
