MWC 2025 | Lenovo AI Stick is an AI upgrade dongle for your PC
At MWC 2025, Lenovo is keen on showing off its AI concept devices. The latest is the Lenovo AI Stick, a small plug-in device that enables non-AI PCs to run AI applications without the use of cloud services.
The NPU in the Lenovo AI Stick boasts a processing speed of 32 TOPS (tera operations per seconds), placing connected PCs in the mid-range in terms of AI capability. In comparison, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips' NPUs as found on multiple AI laptops and PCs crunch at 45 TOPS with Microsoft setting the benchmark at 40 TOPS for Copilot+ features. However, Lenovo is providing its AI Now features to PCs in lieu of Copilot+. Based off the open-source Llama 3.1, Lenovo AI Now allows for local LLM use and graphics generation.
Older PCs without NPUs can be easily connected to the Lenovo AI Stick via the lone USB-C Thunderbolt port on its side. For heavier AI workloads, directly plugging the AI Stick to a power outlet can help users maximise processing power, much like an external GPU.
Considering how pricey a modern high-end PC can get, Lenovo's proof-of-concept AI dongle may be able to help owners of ageing systems get the latest OS and app features in a fast and affordable manner if and when it is released as a consumer product.
Source(s)
Lenovo, via press release
