At Mobile World Congress 2025, Lenovo introduced an innovative AI Stick, a USB-C Thunderbolt-connected device designed to add AI-powered functionality to PCs lacking Neural Processing Units (NPUs).
AI Stick: Expanding AI Capabilities
Since the AI Stick is still in its prototype stage, Lenovo has not shared detailed technical specifications. However, the device is reported to deliver up to 32 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), a key metric for assessing AI performance in modern AI-enabled computers.
Lenovo also mentioned that the AI Stick can provide enhanced performance when used with its dedicated adapter. However, it remains unclear how much of a performance difference users will experience when connecting it directly through a standard USB-C Thunderbolt port. Once plugged in, the AI Stick enables users to run local Large Language Models (LLMs), utilize AI-powered graphics applications, and integrate with Lenovo’s AI Now suite. For more intensive AI tasks, it can even be powered via a wall socket.
AI Display: Another Step Toward AI-Powered Computing
In addition to the AI Stick, Lenovo also showcased the AI Display—a curved monitor with a built-in discrete NPU. This display allows users with older PCs or those with slower NPUs to access AI-driven features by simply connecting their device to the monitor.
While the AI Stick may not be necessary for users with newer AI-enabled hardware, it offers a valuable upgrade for those with older systems who want to take advantage of AI functionalities without investing in a brand-new computer.
