Lenovo builds AI assistant that can act on your behalf, its ambitious effort
Why does a PC maker suddenly sound like a software startup? While Lenovo is best known for laptops and servers, the company is now rolling out Qira, an AI assistant that can schedule meetings, draft emails and even place orders on a user’s behalf. The move marks a shift from pure hardware to a more service‑oriented model, and it comes at a time when many tech firms are scrambling to embed generative AI into everyday workflows.
Here’s the thing: Lenovo isn’t tying Qira to a single AI provider. Instead, it’s stitching together capabilities from multiple models, a strategy that could keep the product flexible but also complicates development. Jeff Snow, who heads AI product at Lenovo, explains the reasoning behind the architecture, the challenges of avoiding an exclusive partnership, and what the project reveals about a hardware giant’s broader AI ambitions.
His insights offer a rare glimpse into how a company with a global supply chain is trying to make AI feel like a built‑in feature rather than an add‑on.
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*It's Lenovo's most ambitious AI effort to date and a rare look at how a hardware giant with global reach is thinking about integrating AI more deeply. Jeff Snow, Lenovo's head of AI product, told me how Qira came together, why the company is deliberately avoiding a single exclusive AI partnership, a*
It's Lenovo's most ambitious AI effort to date and a rare look at how a hardware giant with global reach is thinking about integrating AI more deeply. Jeff Snow, Lenovo's head of AI product, told me how Qira came together, why the company is deliberately avoiding a single exclusive AI partnership, and what he learned from earlier experiments like Moto AI and Microsoft's Recall debacle. Qira emerged from a quiet but meaningful internal reorganization less than a year ago, according to Snow. Lenovo pulled AI teams out of individual hardware units such as PCs, tablets, and phones and centralized them into a new software-focused group that works across the entire company.
Qira aims to act on your behalf. A bold step. While other firms chase model breakthroughs, Lenovo is using its hardware footprint to embed AI directly into the devices people use daily.
The assistant is designed to live across Lenovo laptops and Motorola phones, promising a unified experience. Jeff Snow explained that the company deliberately shunned a single exclusive AI partnership, preferring a modular approach that could accommodate multiple providers and adapt as the technology evolves. This is Lenovo's most ambitious AI effort to date, offering a rare glimpse of how a hardware giant with global reach thinks about deeper integration.
Yet it is unclear whether the system will seamlessly handle the varied contexts of everyday users or how privacy concerns will be addressed. The success of Qira will depend on adoption rates and real‑world performance, factors that remain uncertain at this stage. For now, Lenovo's move adds another dimension to the ongoing conversation about AI's role in consumer hardware.
Further Reading
- Qira is Motorola and Lenovo’s big swing at hands-free, always-on AI - Android Central
- Lenovo Defines the Next Era of Hybrid AI with Personalized ... - Lenovo Newsroom
- Introducing Lenovo and Motorola Qira, a Personal Ambient ... - Lenovo Newsroom
- Motorola unveils new flagship devices and AI-powered innovation at ... - Lenovo Newsroom
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Common Questions Answered
What is Qira and what tasks can Lenovo's AI assistant perform for users?
Qira is Lenovo's newly launched AI assistant that can schedule meetings, draft emails, and place orders on a user's behalf. It is designed to operate across Lenovo laptops and Motorola phones, providing a unified, hands‑free workflow experience.
Why did Lenovo choose a modular AI approach instead of an exclusive partnership with a single AI provider?
Lenovo deliberately avoided tying Qira to one AI vendor to keep the system flexible and adaptable as generative AI technology evolves. A modular approach allows the assistant to integrate multiple providers, reducing reliance on any single partner and enabling faster updates.
How does Qira reflect Lenovo's shift from pure hardware to a more service‑oriented model?
By embedding Qira directly into its devices, Lenovo is leveraging its global hardware footprint to deliver AI‑driven services, moving beyond traditional laptop and server sales. This strategy positions the company as a provider of integrated AI experiences rather than just a hardware manufacturer.
What previous experiments did Lenovo draw lessons from when developing Qira?
Jeff Snow referenced earlier projects such as Moto AI and Microsoft's Recall debacle, noting both successes and pitfalls. These experiences informed Qira's design, particularly the emphasis on cross‑device functionality and avoiding over‑reliance on a single AI ecosystem.
On which devices will users be able to access Qira, and what benefit does this provide?
Qira will be available on Lenovo laptops and Motorola smartphones, creating a seamless assistant experience across both platforms. This cross‑device availability ensures users can interact with the AI consistently, whether they are working at a desk or on the go.