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An Interview with Kirk Skaugen: Lenovo’s Vision to Make AI Accessible at the Edge

blankLenovo is making waves in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with its vision to make AI accessible at the edge of the network. The company showcased its “AI for All” vision at the recent Mobile World Congress 24 show in Barcelona, Spain, where it unveiled telco customer solutions that will accelerate global AI deployment. Kirk Skaugen, EVP and president of infrastructure solutions group at Lenovo, spoke about the company’s plans to deploy public safety AI applications at the edge and reduce power consumption of cloud services by 25%.

Lenovo has partnered with companies like Telefonica, Orange Business, Intel, and Rakuten to drive innovation and savings across industries through integrated solutions for mass deployment of AI at the edge. The goal is to help enterprises harness vast amounts of data at the far edge for transformative AI applications while reducing energy consumption.

One of the key areas where Lenovo is implementing AI at the edge is in smart cities. For example, in Barcelona, Lenovo is powering street kiosks that can automatically call the police and detect if an ambulance is needed in case of accidents. The company is also using AI to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating the streets. These initiatives demonstrate how AI can save lives and improve safety in urban environments.

Lenovo is also working with Telefonica to deploy AI solutions in the city of Madrid. This collaboration involves using AI algorithms to detect fire and smoke through city cameras and drones, enabling faster police response and more effective deployment of resources in case of emergencies.

In addition to its work in smart cities, Lenovo is exploring various applications of AI at the edge. For instance, the company is partnering with fast food chains to improve food safety and customer experience through AI-powered cameras and analytics. It is also working with fishing fleets to enhance supply-demand management by analyzing data collected on fishing boats.

Lenovo’s approach to AI involves bringing the processing power closer to where the data is generated, rather than relying solely on cloud services. This enables real-time analysis of data and faster decision making. The company believes that AI processing should be distributed across public, enterprise, and private local learning models (LLMs), depending on the specific use case and data requirements.

While there are still challenges to overcome in terms of data privacy, data sourcing, and ensuring ethical AI practices, Lenovo is committed to addressing these concerns. The company has established an ethical AI committee to ensure that its products and solutions are unbiased and transparent.

Overall, Lenovo’s vision to make AI accessible at the edge is set to revolutionize industries and enable transformative AI applications. By bringing AI processing closer to where the data is generated, Lenovo is empowering enterprises to harness the power of AI while reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency. With its partnerships and innovative solutions, Lenovo is paving the way for a future where AI is integrated into everyday life and drives positive change.