The biggest names in computing are all pouring resources into building generative AI into their devices, hoping to inject the venerable PC market with a boost of AI excitement.

The big picture: Most of today's AI software runs in the cloud, so any standard PC or Mac should be able to handle generative AI work. Just how much AI work can be done on the device will depend on support from software makers.

• The idea of an AI PC is one capable of doing more of the work on the device thanks to extra processing power, among other features.
• While definitions of just what makes up an AI PC can vary, the key is a separate AI processor, sometimes called a neural processor or neural engine.
• Canalys predicts that 19% of PCs shipped this year will have AI capabilities, rising to 60% by 2027.

Why it matters: Moving more AI work onboard your computer could strengthen data privacy, reduce climate-stressing data-center power demands and empower users who want to be less dependent on tech giants.

Driving the news: Microsoft is holding an event on Monday, just ahead of its Build developer conference, where it is expected to debut new Surface hardware and talk more about the role it sees for AI on the PC.

• Microsoft has already said it will equip Windows PCs with AI features, including a dedicated Copilot key.

Other PC makers are set to detail their plans, including ASUS, which has been heavily promoting an AI PC event.

• After years of trying to crack the PC business, Qualcomm has debuted its most compelling chips to date, powered by its Nuvia acquisition. On-device AI is a big piece of how Qualcomm sees its chips changing the experience of using a phone or laptop.
• Intel isn't ceding its turf, touting its AI bona fides and saying it will ship 100 million PCs with AI accelerators by the end of next year.

The intrigue: Apple is the biggest wild card, but the company has promised it will have more to say on its generative AI strategy at its developer conference next month.

• Last week, Apple debuted its M4 processor alongside new iPad Pros, and took pains to note what a capable AI chip it is.
• Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple has neared a deal with OpenAI, has had talks with Google and that a new wave of Macs with AI features will begin arriving late this year.

What to watch: There's going to be lots of talk about whose chip can do more trillions of operations per second, but that's about bragging rights, not utility.

• What matters is whether any device maker figures out how to tap AI's power to transform the computing experience.

Between the lines: The stakes are large, with Qualcomm looking to finally make some inroads into the laptop business, Microsoft counting on Qualcomm to improve its competitive position when it comes to battery life and performance, and Intel trying to protect its position as the leading PC chip provider.

• Mix in the end of support for Windows 10, and many see an opportunity for a new wave of corporate computer buying.
• "When these devices start to come out, they will start to get used in business, in operations, in education, entertainment, manufacturing, you name it," says Kedar Kondap, a Qualcomm senior VP and general manager of its compute business.

What's next: There are lots of ways an AI PC can evolve. It's not just about chatbots and AI-made images — AI could reshape computing by replacing complex user interfaces.

• Being able to tell your computer, in plain English, what you want to do has long been a dream, but now appears within reach thanks to generative AI.
• Expect a similar push on phones, though computers' bigger batteries and processing power could allow more to be done on a PC than is possible on a phone.

OpenAI and Reddit announced a deal yesterday that will bring content from Reddit directly into ChatGPT.

Why it matters: It's the latest deal giving OpenAI licensed access to a wide repository of content as it looks to train future models.

• The companies said the deal will also allow Reddit to incorporate new AI features and will see OpenAI become a Reddit advertising partner.

What they're saying: "We are thrilled to partner with Reddit to enhance ChatGPT with uniquely timely and relevant information, and to explore the possibilities to enrich the Reddit experience with AI-powered features," said OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap.

• Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said including Reddit in ChatGPT "upholds our belief in a connected internet, helps people find more of what they're looking for, and helps new audiences find community on Reddit."

Between the lines: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is a major Reddit shareholder. OpenAI said the deal was negotiated by Lightcap and approved by the firm's board.

A Chinese-speaking hacking group is targeting individuals tied to a U.S. artificial intelligence company in an ongoing phishing attack, researchers at Proofpoint said yesterday.

Why it matters: AI operators have become prime targets for hackers looking to steal trade secrets as the U.S. and China continue to battle for AI dominance.

Zoom in: Fewer than 10 individuals tied to the same "leading U.S.-based artificial intelligence organization" received a phishing email this month aimed at deploying trojan malware onto their devices, according to Proofpoint's report.

• The hacking group used a free email account to send an AI-themed lure that tried to get recipients to download a malware-laced zip file.
• Attackers pretended to be a user reporting problems with an AI tool they were using for work, and claimed that they had more details about the issue in the attached file.
• The malware in the file is nearly identical to the malicious files seen in another scheme that Cisco discovered in November, which targeted people in Central and East Asia.

Yes, but: Proofpoint did not name the U.S. company where the targeted experts work.

The big picture: It's rare to see a phishing campaign be as precise and limited as the one Proofpoint uncovered — underscoring the heightened insider threats facing U.S. AI companies.

• Not only are AI operators dealing with run-of-the-mill cyber threats like phishing, but they're also contending with a range of insider threats, including nation-state spies and employees who may be duped into sharing secrets.
• AI firms are paying attention: Last week, OpenAI listed a role for an insider risk investigator.

• Sony Music has sent letters to more than 700 AI companies complaining of "unauthorized use" of its content in training their systems. (TechCrunch)
• AI search firm Perplexity has added a number of big-name tech veterans as advisers, including Android co-founder Rich Miner and former Uber business head Emil Michael.
• GM is trying to save Cruise, its once high-flying self-driving car unit. (Fortune)

Two bits of softball news for you as the NCAA tournament kicks off this weekend. First, UCLA has added Gabriela Jaquez, a forward on its basketball team, to its softball roster. Second, my alma mater Miami University (the one in Ohio) is leading the country in home runs (and headed to the Knoxville regional).