Lenovo's next 20 years in the Triangle is all about AI
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It's been 20 years since Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computer division and made Research Triangle Park one of its two global headquarters, along with Beijing.
Why it matters: With around 3,000 workers here, Lenovo is one of the region's largest private employers. It's part of the backbone of the Triangle's technology scene.
- For it to stay in that position, though, Lenovo needs to nail the transition to artificial intelligence, the company's North American President Ryan McCurdy tells Axios from its sprawling RTP campus.
Zoom in: Lenovo's core business has long been personal computers, an industry in which it holds the largest market share in the world. It's been working hard to diversify its offerings, though.
- That includes more software and services offerings, like cloud storage and security consulting, as well as a data server business that is seeing huge demand because of AI.
- The company sees itself as positioned to help tens of thousands of companies, from large education systems to small businesses, take advantage of AI tools.
- On top of that, McCurdy says, it's partnering with some of the biggest names in the space, like Nvidia, Microsoft and Google, so it can offer customers a wide portfolio of products and services, from phones and PCs to data servers and security.
What they're saying: "I don't think there's any question that this is a decade-long march to a really impressive future state, but not all players will win equally," McCurdy said. "I think our portfolio approach is a differentiator."
State of play: Despite layoffs that affected around 100 people across its eight North America offices, McCurdy says that Lenovo remains committed to the Triangle, which he praised for its access to university talent and quality of life.
- He pointed to the company's 10-year commitment to the naming rights of Lenovo Center, home of the Carolina Hurricanes and N.C. State basketball, as the biggest example of that. It's also working with the Hurricanes on integrating its smart-city technologies around the stadium.
- McCurdy says that Lenovo wants to use the stadium and the planned $1 billion development around it as a place to bring customers and attract talent.
- "I think the development around the Lenovo Center is one of those areas that can differentiate" the Triangle, McCurdy said. "When I see what's in the works there, I think it is something where you could come and have a very memorable experience."