AiThority Interview with Tom Butler, Executive Director, WW Commercial Portfolio and Product Management at Lenovo

Tom Butler, Executive Director of WW Commercial Portfolio and Product Management at Lenovo, discusses next-gen AI-enabled workstations, upcoming innovations in AI, and Lenovo’s AI-driven solutions partnership in this quick chat with AiThority.

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Hi Tom, welcome to our AiThority interview series. Tell us about your time as a Product Management leader in the B2B tech market.

Thank you for having me! My experience as a leader in the B2B tech market and my time with Lenovo, in particular, has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve spent over two decades in the industry, leading product management teams that constantly innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology. During my time at Lenovo, I’ve had the opportunity to spearhead numerous projects that have significantly impacted our commercial portfolio, especially in the areas of notebook and new category devices. My previous role leading the North American product team on the full commercial portfolio has provided invaluable insights into various market segments and customer needs, allowing me to develop strategies that align with global trends. On top of that, my experience working with IT and Telco companies like Cisco and Ericsson before my time at Lenovo gave me a unique perspective that guides my everyday approach to product management in the ever-evolving B2B tech landscape.

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How is Lenovo leveraging AI to address the unique needs of large businesses, educational institutions, and government sectors?

Lenovo has a bold vision of delivering ‘Smarter Technology for All,’ including ‘AI for All.’ For large businesses, educational institutions, and other sectors, we offer AI-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency and decision-making. Our AI PCs, for instance, are designed to learn user preferences and optimize workflows, making them ideal for environments that require high productivity and elevated outputs, like a software development or graphic design company, while in education, our AI tools facilitate personalized learning experiences. And to ensure that our AI solutions meet the specific needs of these sectors, we partner with key industry leaders.

With AI playing a key role in modern devices, what are the upcoming innovations organisations must focus on for next-generation AI-enabled workstations?

With the AI solutions available today like next-gen AI-enabled PCs, organizations can enhance their efficiency, and security capabilities. AI PCs will offer more intuitive user experiences by learning from user behaviors and providing tailored recommendations which can streamline processes and allow businesses to be more efficient with their time, money and operational resources. They will also integrate seamlessly with cloud and edge computing to provide real-time data processing capabilities, allowing for quicker and more informed decision-making. Security will also be a top priority and these next-gen AI PCs are equipped with advanced threat detection and privacy measures to protect sensitive information.

What challenges and opportunities do AI and automation present for today’s workforce, and how can businesses prepare their employees for the future?

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workforce has significantly grown over the last few years. According to the latest McKinsey Global Survey, 72% of businesses regularly use AI to automate tasks, provide customer service, and streamline bookkeeping, among other activities, which allows employees more time to deliver thoughtful and creative work and gives companies a competitive advantage. Not only are companies increasing productivity by using AI to do repetitive work, but teams are also able to make faster and more informed decisions by using the technology to analyze vast amounts of date in real time. However, to reap the full benefits of AI automation and effectively work alongside these new AI technologies, employees need to learn how to use AI responsibly, and develop skills that complement AI capabilities, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Businesses can prepare their employees by investing in training programs that enhance digital literacy and foster a culture of continuous learning, so that they can thrive in an AI-enhanced workplace.

How is Lenovo working with partners, customers, and other stakeholders to co-create AI-driven solutions, and how is this collaboration fostering a smarter future?

Great question! Collaboration is at the heart of Lenovo’s approach to innovation. We work closely with silicon partners like Intel, AMD and Qualcomm, and also Microsoft, Meta and other ISVs to co-create AI-driven solutions that address specific industry challenges for customers. This collaborative approach ensures that our innovations are practical and impactful. By working closely with our ecosystem, we are not just delivering products but are creating a future of smarter AI for all. This synergy helps Lenovo create solutions that drive efficiency, enhance user experiences, and ultimately contribute to a more intelligent and connected world.

How do you see the synergy between AI and edge computing unfolding, particularly for industries that need real-time data processing?

 In today’s world, more and more industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and even retail, require real-time data processing to optimize operations, enhance decision-making, and improve customer experiences. By combining AI and edge computing, users can process data closer to the source, reducing latency and improving responsiveness. This is another area where our “AI for All” philosophy comes in – our extensive portfolio delivers solutions that combine the power of AI with the proximity of edge computing to enable faster and more data processing that drives greater efficiency and agility across all industries.

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Lastly, please share five innovations in commercial devices or AI-driven technologies from around the world that have piqued your interest recently.

Technology is consistently evolving and it’s truly fascinating how AI is changing the way we interact with technology. With this in mind, AI PCs are at the forefront of this technology evolution and are such an exciting landmark for personal computing because they make devices smarter, faster and more intuitive for users. These systems will use local Large Language Models, machine learning and natural language processing to deliver personalized, efficient computing experiences and are set to revolutionize computing as their relevance grows.

I also find AI-powered software designed specifically for creators interesting because it offers a blend of innovation and efficiency that transforms how creative professionals approach their work. For example, Lenovo Creator Zone, enables creators to use natural language and reference images to generate and edit visual content, streamlining the creative process and produces higher-quality content that can engage broader audiences.

In addition, AI innovations in healthcare are transforming how medical professionals diagnose diseases, personalize treatment plans, and manage patient care. For example, AI algorithms are being used to enhance the analysis of medical images, such as CT scans, to detect diseases like pneumonia caused by COVID-19. AI technologies like these are helping to reduce diagnostic errors by up to 50% and improve diagnosis accuracy in fields like oncology by 96%

Another vertical that I see increasing in popularity is the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) products and software. They offer unique capabilities, catering to various needs. For example, there are platforms that help automate repetitive tasks like data entry. Even when it comes to your daily calendar, there are tools that can rearrange your schedule to ensure that you stay on top of your deadlines with ease and adapt swiftly to any unexpected changes, making time management more convenient and effective. The sheer variety of these RPA solutions highlights the immense potential these technologies have in reshaping business operations, and it’s exciting to witness how they continuously evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of the business world.

Lastly, the push for more sustainability and repairability has led to innovative solutions focused on hardware that utilizes recycled materials and lasting design. Repairability is truly a team job and aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprint is increasingly important.

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