Lenovo's CIO says patience is a virtue in AI investing, but the clock is ticking | Fortune
Briefly

Lenovo's CIO says patience is a virtue in AI investing, but the clock is ticking | Fortune
"There's a bit longer grace period, because people recognize that we haven't quite figured it out yet. There's more willingness to invest in Gen AI, even if the result will be rapid learning. Many studies align with Hu's thinking. Enterprises are spending more on generative AI in 2026 than in the prior year. CEOs are far more optimistic about producing a return on investment, even as C-suite leaders acknowledge that the ROI time horizon for generative AI is longer than other technology applications."
"AI PCs accounted for 31% of the total global PC market globally by the end of 2025, according to research firm Gartner. This new technology upgrade cycle gives Lenovo and other manufacturers a fresh opportunity to pitch new hardware. In Lenovo's fiscal third-quarter earnings, reported last month, total revenue grew 18%, driven by strong demand for AI-related products. AI revenue increased by 72% from the prior year and now accounts for a third of Lenovo's total business."
"But as large companies like OpenAI, Amazon, and Alphabet build data centers, demand for memory chip production has surged, putting supply pressure on consumer electronics. Gartner has warned that rising component costs will dampen sales for PCs and smartphones in 2026."
Lenovo's Chief Information Officer Arthur Hu emphasizes that enterprises maintain patience with generative AI investments, recognizing the technology remains in early stages. Companies are increasing AI spending in 2026 compared to prior years, with CEOs optimistic about returns despite acknowledging extended ROI horizons. AI PCs now represent 31% of the global PC market, creating opportunities for hardware manufacturers. Lenovo experienced 18% total revenue growth in fiscal Q3, with AI revenue surging 72% year-over-year and comprising one-third of total business. However, rising demand for memory chips from data center construction by major tech companies is increasing component costs, potentially dampening PC and smartphone sales in 2026.
Read at Fortune
Unable to calculate read time
[
|
]