Could it be that the great revolution in the world of personal computing, driven by artificial intelligence, has lost momentum before it has begun in earnest? Recent data from analysts at Gartner, suggesting a revision of growth forecasts, may dampen enthusiasm and provoke questions about the reality of the announced breakthrough. However, nothing could be further from the truth. What we are seeing is not an emergency brake, but a natural course correction in the face of global economic challenges. The reality is that the technological wave is gathering strength just over the horizon, and the current calm is just the calm before the inevitable storm.
Understanding breathlessness – or why the numbers slowed down for a while
There is no denying that the original forecasts were extremely optimistic. Gartner has revised its prediction for the share of AI PCs for this year from 43% to less than a third of the market. Similarly, instead of 114 million units, closer to 78 million will hit the market. Why the change? The reasons lie not in the technology itself, but in the macroeconomic environment. Global uncertainty, fluctuating markets and a complex trade policy situation are making companies around the world more cautious about large investments and equipment replacement cycles.
This is a natural phenomenon – at a time when it is harder to predict the future, budgets become less flexible. However, it is important to understand that this is a delay in purchasing decisions, not a rejection of the AI PC idea itself. The problem lies not in the potential of the new machines, but in external factors that have pressed pause for a while.
The train has already left – Giants put it all on the line
While analysts are correcting short-term forecasts, in the labs and on the production lines, the revolution continues at its best. The truth is that the entire technological ecosystem is already fully engaged in the transformation. This is no longer an experiment – it is a strategic market redesign from which there is no turning back.
The hardware foundations have long been in place. Intel with its Core Ultra processors has integrated NPUs (Neural Processing Units) directly into the silicon, making on-device AI processing a standard. On the other hand, Nvidia, the giant in graphics and AI computing, has formed strategic alliances with absolutely all the key players in the market – Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo – to deliver powerful machines to the market ready for the AI era.
What’s more, let’s look at the scale of the increase. Although the figure of 78 million units shipped this year is lower than the original target, it still represents an almost fourfold increase on the just over 20 million units that hit the market in 2023. This is a growth rate that most industries can only dream of. This is not deceleration, this is the unleashing of a powerful machine.
A tsunami of software is coming – the real reason AI PCs will win
Ultimately, the success of any hardware platform is determined by the software that can harness its power. And herein lies the strongest argument for the inevitability of the AI PC revolution. The hardware itself is only a promise – the real value will come from the applications.
According to Gartner, by the end of next year as many as 40% of software vendors will be investing in AI features running locally on the PC. This is a seismic shift, given that just last year the percentage was only 2%.
What does this mean for us users? It marks the end of an era where advanced AI features were only available through the cloud. This means:
- Greater privacy and security: Data will be processed locally on our device, without being sent to external servers.
- Instant responsiveness: No more internet connection delays. Editing video, generating graphics or working with the intelligent assistant will be instantaneous.
- Powerful new possibilities: Imagine a real-time video call interpreter working offline. Or an office suite that intelligently summarises documents and prepares replies to emails without network access. It is these ‘killer-apps’ that will ultimately convince the market.
Time for preparation, not hesitation
Momentary turbulence on the sales charts cannot stop a revolution whose foundations are already built of silicon, steel and code. The engine of change is in full swing and long-term forecasts leave no illusions: AI PCs will capture more than half of the market as early as next year, and by 2029 they will become the absolute norm.
That is why it is worth treating the current moment of market calm not as a cause for concern, but as a strategic opportunity. It is the perfect time for companies and technology enthusiasts to plan their strategy calmly, update their knowledge and prepare for the moment when the storm of innovation will hit full force. Because the fact that it will hit is already certain.
