At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, Lenovo showcased its innovative AI Stick, a USB-C Thunderbolt-powered device designed to bring AI-powered capabilities to PCs that lack Neural Processing Units (NPUs). The AI Stick is still in its prototype stage, but it has the potential to enhance AI performance on older devices by enabling local Large Language Model (LLM) processing and AI-enhanced graphics applications.
While Lenovo has not revealed detailed technical specifications, the AI Stick is capable of delivering up to 32 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) , a metric commonly used to measure AI performance. Lenovo also mentioned that the AI Stick will perform better when connected via its dedicated power adapter, though it remains unclear how much performance will be impacted when plugged into a standard USB-C Thunderbolt port.
A unique feature of the AI Stick is its ability to plug directly into a wall socket, providing maximum performance for demanding AI tasks. This makes it an ideal solution for users with older processors or slower NPUs, ensuring that they can still benefit from modern AI features without upgrading their entire system.
Alongside the AI Stick, Lenovo also introduced the AI Display, a curved monitor with a built-in discrete NPU. Similar to the AI Stick, the AI Display allows users with older laptops and PCs to access AI-powered enhancements without needing a high-end, AI-ready computer.
While still in development, Lenovo’s AI Stick and AI Display highlight the company’s commitment to making AI accessible, allowing users to upgrade their devices with AI capabilities without investing in entirely new hardware.
