Peter Oganeasen, Managing Director of Middle East and East Africa, HP, discusses the company’s vision for leveraging AI to transform the workplace, simplifying work processes, enhancing productivity, and enabling a more personalized user experience across its computing portfolio.
How do you think the new era of AI and computing will change the way humans work?
I believe that a lot of the tasks we do today will be eliminated or transformed in the future. The focus is on creating simplified, enjoyable work models where people don’t have to stress about unnecessary challenges and can focus on more meaningful work. We’re seeing a rapid pace of innovation, with new use cases and capabilities emerging all the time. In the near future, I expect we’ll see processes optimized to the core, with many of the tedious tasks we don’t want to do being eliminated.
How will this transformation impact the computing landscape, especially for companies and governments?
Companies and governments will need to shift to the next generation of computing hardware and software to support these productivity improvements. This means transitioning to more powerful, energy-efficient AI-enabled PCs that can handle the demands of advanced applications and workflows. It won’t happen overnight, but the estimate is that by 2027, over 60% of devices will be this new generation of AI-powered PCs. Companies will feel pressure to provide the right technology to attract and retain talent, similar to how cybersecurity investments ramped up in recent years.
How have customers responded to these ideas about the future of work and productivity?
The response has been very positive – I haven’t encountered a single customer who doesn’t see the value in these concepts around personas, bridging the employee-productivity gap, and leveraging AI. The more advanced customers are already testing different models and implementing proofs of concept. Others are relying on us to guide them on how to make this transition, based on their specific needs and budgets. The pace of adoption will vary, with organizations that have strong IT teams moving faster than those without that capability.
Will users need to be trained on these new AI-powered PCs?
Yes, I believe some level of training and education will be required, as this will be a very different user experience. The key is for our partners to really embrace and integrate these AI products and use cases into their own processes and solutions. That way, they can develop that hands-on familiarity and be better equipped to guide and influence end users. It’s a transformative shift, so we need to drive that learning and adoption across the board – for HP, our partners, and ultimately the customers.
How does HP plan to transition its portfolio to be more AI-centric? Will you phase out non-AI devices?
We’re undergoing a fundamental shift in how we approach business and engage with customers. The focus is less on individual product specs and more on delivering productivity improvements through holistic solutions. We’ve created a dedicated organization to continuously innovate and deliver that enhanced user experience across our entire portfolio. This transition will take time, but it’s just the beginning of our journey. We don’t have plans to completely phase out non-AI devices, as we need to cater to different customer needs and price points. But the direction is clear – AI-powered computing will be the future.
How does the cost difference compare between AI-enabled PCs and traditional non-AI PCs?
I don’t see a major cost difference, at least not one that would be a significant barrier. The latest generation of AI-enabled PCs do have additional technology and capabilities, so there may be a slight premium in the high-end, elite series. But overall, I believe the benefits and productivity gains will outweigh any incremental cost. We’re focused on educating and enabling our partners to effectively communicate the value proposition to customers, rather than just focusing on the hardware specifications.
Will these AI-powered devices require users to be highly tech-savvy to operate them?
No, I don’t believe that will be the case. As AI technology evolves, the interaction and communication with these devices will become more simplified and intuitive. Things like natural language processing, gesture controls, and personalized profiles will help bridge the gap and make the experience more user-friendly. Our role as the technology provider is to understand the user’s needs and persona, and then offer the right set of tools and capabilities to enhance their productivity, rather than expecting them to become AI experts.
