AI Opens Limitless Possibilities: Lenovo's Matthew Zielinski

“The biggest challenge is that the opportunities are endless. The key is identifying meaningful use cases worth investing in and productising,” said Matthew Zielinski, president of international markets at Lenovo. While in India for Lenovo Tech World India'25, Zielinski was asked about the main challenges smartphone companies face in developing unique, proprietary AI use cases.

In recent years, consumers worldwide have been inundated with smartphones featuring AI capabilities. However, from the user’s perspective, many of the latest devices offer similar AI features, such as on-device AI, text processing, generative image creation, and real-time translations. Discussing the challenges smartphone brands face in creating unique AI products, Zielinski acknowledged, "With infinite possibilities, the real challenge lies in narrowing them down to what truly resonates with users."

“Take the Motorola RAZR, for example. We had 30, 50, maybe even 60 different AI feature ideas, but only a few could be productised first. The question was: which ones will truly add value for users? The process involves rigorous testing to ensure we're hitting the mark,” according to the sources.

Zielinski went on to highlight several AI features. “One great example is a feature called 'Catch Me Up.' Actually, let me start with 'Pay Attention'—a feature we've used in carrier and customer meetings.”

According to Zielinski, imagine placing your smartphone on the table during a 90-minute meeting, and instead of taking detailed notes, your phone does it for you. At the end of the meeting, you can simply ask it to generate a concise summary of the discussion. This feature enables users to stay fully engaged in the conversation without worrying about note-taking. "I used to fill five pages of notes during an hour-long meeting—now, I just place my phone on the table, focus on the discussion, and get an automatic summary," Zielinski explained, highlighting how Lenovo is continuously working to offer unique and meaningful AI use cases to its vast user base.

On our expectations

Given the prevalence of similar AI features across various smartphone brands, one might expect some degree of user fatigue. Although there is no concrete research to support this idea, we asked Zielinski for his thoughts on whether the uniformity of AI features across brands is causing such fatigue. "I don’t believe user fatigue has set in yet. While it can feel overwhelming, we haven't yet seen a surge of fully productized AI-driven use cases," the Lenovo executive replied confidently. He also mentioned that Lenovo customers have not expressed any signs of fatigue or a desire to "slow down" due to an overload of AI features.

“In fact, it's quite the opposite—consumers are eager to discover the next killer AI use case, whether for smartphones, PCs, or other devices. We’re still in the phase of finding meaningful ways to integrate AI into everyday life,” he shared.

On Ai innovation and commitment to India

During the flagship event celebrating two decades of Lenovo's operations in India, the company's top executives unveiled an ambitious strategy to position the country as a key hub for AI, manufacturing, and technology. The Lenovo leadership emphasized that India has evolved from being just a market to a strategic cornerstone for the company’s global growth and technological progress. Zielinski highlighted the company’s significant investment in India, stating, "India is undoubtedly one of the most important markets for us worldwide."

"The numbers are indeed impressive: in the calendar year 2024, Lenovo manufactured and shipped products worth Rs 18,000 crores, with the business experiencing a remarkable 58% year-on-year revenue growth."

Lenovo’s commitment goes beyond sales. The company has set up three manufacturing facilities in India, not only catering to the local market but also positioning the country as a key export hub. "We’re building for India and shipping globally from India," Zielinski explained.