On the afternoon of February 20, after Lenovo released its financial results for the third quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year, the term "DeepSeek" became a common buzzword among attendees. This highlights a significant shift in the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its positioning in both the business and technological world.
During a media interaction, Lenovo’s CEO, Yang Yuanqing, shared insights on this new AI frontier. He emphasized that DeepSeek exemplifies a crucial direction; artificial intelligence is not confined to the cloud but can be integrated efficiently at the edge, allowing individuals to enjoy the benefits of generative AI while simultaneously safeguarding personal data and privacy. This dual focus marks a progressive step in how companies should approach AI application.
At present, Lenovo has fully integrated its AI PCs, AI smartphones, and AI tablets with the robust DeepSeek-R1 cloud model. A notable announcement during this event was the impending deployment of the DeepSeek model on edge devices. The unveiling of several AI workstations and all-in-ones, pre-installed with multiple versions of DeepSeek and Qwen, represents the company's initiative to make advanced AI tools readily accessible to the masses. Yang insists that DeepSeek provides a feasible pathway for democratizing AI and accelerating its adoption in various business processes.
This vision becomes even more tangible when juxtaposed with Lenovo's remarkable financial performance announced that day. The company's revenue reached 135.1 billion RMB, demonstrating a 20% increase year-over-year, marking the highest quarterly revenue in three years. All core business units achieved double-digit growth, with net profits soaring by 106% to 4.98 billion RMB. Notably, revenue from non-PC related business surpassed 46% of the total, showcasing a significant shift in their operational focus.
Examining the company’s various ventures, there is a clear synergy between the growing popularity of AI and its applications worldwide. Favorable conditions such as Windows 11 system upgrades and a burgeoning "replace your old for a new" policy have contributed to a surge in the PC industry. In China, Lenovo reports that AI PCs now make up 15% of the notebook market. Furthermore, research firm Gartner predicts that 2025 will witness accelerated recovery in the PC market, with AI PC penetration expected to exceed 165% compared to the previous year. Projections suggest that by 2027, AI PCs could command an impressive 81% market share.
Additionally, thanks to the enhanced revenue from its Cloud Service Provider (CSP) business segment, the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) returned to profitability this fiscal quarter, with revenue climbing nearly 60% to 28.3 billion RMB. This turnaround underscores Lenovo's competitive strategy and adaptability in an ever-evolving economic landscape.
In the interview, Yang further shed light on Lenovo's latest developments in the Middle East. Just two weeks prior, he visited Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to lay the groundwork for a local manufacturing plant, meet with various governmental departments, and connect with potential clients. His observations highlighted the government's commitment to transformative initiatives, revealing promising growth opportunities for Lenovo in the region. The establishment of a sophisticated manufacturing base, innovation and client demonstration centers, along with flagship retail stores are to fuel the company's growth across all business lines locally. Upon commencing production, the new facility is expected to generate millions of laptops, desktops, and servers under the “Made in Saudi” label.