The era of artificial-intelligence computers is arriving faster than expected. According to Intel, already this year about half of all PCs shipped worldwide will be equipped with dedicated neural processors for running neural networks locally.

Makoto Ono, president of Intel’s Japan division, believes that 2026 will be a turning point. Right now, such devices are transforming from a technological novelty into an industry standard.

According to analysts at IDC, total computer shipments this year will reach about 260 million units. This means roughly 130 million new devices will include built-in AI accelerators.

However, the Intel executive acknowledges an important fact: today buyers choose such PCs not only for neural-network capabilities. The main incentives remain high performance and significantly improved battery life.

Using neural processors allows workloads to be distributed more efficiently. This makes computers faster and more resilient, so consumers purchase them as powerful tools while receiving AI capabilities as an added bonus.

Intel aims to change the perception of these devices as expensive premium products. The company’s goal is to bring AI technologies to the mass market and make them accessible to every user as quickly as possible.

For this to happen, the industry needs more applications that fully utilize the power of AI chips. Intel expects that soon people will start buying computers for specific tasks rather than simply for the prestige of a new model.

ORIENT