In a groundbreaking announcement on Thursday, Intel revealed that many personal computer makers are adopting its latest chip, marking a significant leap into a new era dominated by chatbots. The chip, codenamed "Meteor Lake," has a unique feature—it's the first Intel chip to include a neural processing unit (NPU), dedicated to handling artificial intelligence tasks.

This latest offering is already making waves, with major players such as Dell Technologies, Microsoft, and the Lenovo Group integrating the chip into their laptops. The new laptops are set to hit shelves on Thursday, available at popular retailers such as Best Buy in the US and on global platforms such as JD.com in China and Harvey Norman in Australia.

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Intel's central processing units (CPUs) have traditionally been the driving force behind personal computers. However, "Meteor Lake" ushers in a new era by seamlessly integrating an NPU, demonstrating Intel's commitment to staying ahead of the tech landscape.

Amid a post-pandemic PC slowdown, where consumers have been reluctant to upgrade their devices, Intel's move is aimed at reigniting interest. The company believes that adding its chips will not only enhance AI capabilities but also make AI services more cost-effective, faster and safer than cloud-based alternatives.

During the press event, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger emphasized the transformative impact of AI on PCs, stating that the coming year will see the end of AI power for every user, scenario and location.

The chip's capabilities were demonstrated in September, demonstrating AI applications such as real-time voice note transcription and producing music in the style of popular artist Taylor Swift—all without relying on external cloud services.

As part of its broader strategy, Intel also introduced the Gaudi 3 chip, positioning itself to challenge Nvidia in the data center AI market. With these developments, Intel is not only unveiling a new chip but ushering in a future where AI seamlessly integrates into our daily computing experiences.