In a bold move to embed artificial intelligence deeper into everyday computing, Lenovo unveiled Qira, its most ambitious AI assistant to date, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The announcement, made during a high-profile event at The Sphere, positions Qira as a cross-device system designed to span Lenovo laptops and Motorola phones, aiming to act autonomously on users' behalf while learning from their habits.
Lenovo, the world's largest PC manufacturer by shipment volume, ships tens of millions of devices annually, giving it unparalleled reach into consumers' daily lives. This hardware dominance allows the company to influence how AI integrates into routine tasks, from work to personal organization. Jeff Snow, Lenovo's head of AI product, emphasized during the event that Qira represents a shift toward a more unified, intelligent ecosystem. "We wanted a built-in cross-device intelligence that works with you throughout the day, learns from your interactions, and can act on your behalf," Snow said in an interview with The Verge.
The development of Qira stems from an internal reorganization at Lenovo less than a year ago, according to Snow. The company consolidated its AI teams, previously siloed within divisions for PCs, tablets, and phones, into a centralized software group. This restructuring, Snow explained, was intended to prioritize AI across all product lines, moving away from Lenovo's traditional focus on hardware specifications and supply chains.
Unlike many AI initiatives that rely on a single dominant model, Qira adopts a modular approach. It combines on-device processing with cloud-based capabilities, primarily leveraging Microsoft and OpenAI infrastructure via Azure. Integrations also include Stability AI's diffusion models for image generation and partnerships with apps like Notion and Perplexity for specialized tasks. Snow highlighted the flexibility of this setup: "We didn’t want to hard-code ourselves to one model. This space is moving too fast. Different tasks need different tradeoffs around performance, quality, and cost."
This strategy contrasts with efforts by leading AI labs, such as OpenAI or Google, which often seek exclusive partnerships with hardware makers. Lenovo's decision to maintain optionality underscores its view that no single provider can dominate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. By controlling a vast distribution network, Lenovo aims to experiment with multiple technologies without locking users—or itself—into one path.
Snow drew lessons from previous Lenovo projects, including Moto AI on Motorola devices. Launched earlier, Moto AI achieved strong initial adoption, with more than half of Motorola users trying it. However, retention lagged because the features resembled generic chatbots available elsewhere. "That pushed us away from competing with chatbots," Snow noted. "Qira is about things chatbots can’t do, like continuity, context, and acting directly on your device." For instance, Snow described using Qira's on-device model during his flight to CES to refine talking points for meetings based on his PC notes and documents.
Lenovo's approach also responds to recent industry setbacks, particularly the controversy surrounding Microsoft's Recall feature. Recall, part of Windows' Copilot+ PCs, faced backlash for its always-on screen recording, raising privacy concerns. Snow assured that Qira incorporates user-centric safeguards from the start. It features opt-in memory storage, visible recording indicators, and transparent controls over data ingestion. "Context ingestion is optional. Recording is visible. Nothing is silently collected," he said, emphasizing Lenovo's commitment to avoiding similar pitfalls.
Behind the scenes, economic factors are shaping Qira's rollout. Surging demand for AI has driven up memory chip prices, with analysts predicting ripple effects on PC costs. Snow confirmed that Qira does not increase minimum hardware requirements for Lenovo devices. Still, it delivers optimal performance on premium models with ample RAM. The company is optimizing local AI models to run efficiently on systems with as little as 16 gigabytes of RAM, ensuring broader accessibility without compromising functionality.
Strategically, Qira serves dual purposes for Lenovo. In the near term, it fosters ecosystem loyalty by enabling seamless interactions between laptops and phones, encouraging users to remain within Lenovo's portfolio, which includes Motorola after its acquisition. Over the longer horizon, as hardware specifications become commoditized amid fierce competition from rivals like Dell and HP, Qira positions Lenovo to differentiate through software intelligence.
The CES reveal comes at a pivotal moment for the PC industry, which has grappled with sluggish sales post-pandemic. AI integration offers a potential revival, with features like Qira promising to transform devices from mere tools into proactive companions. Lenovo's event at The Sphere, known for its immersive dome-shaped screen, amplified the launch's spectacle, drawing attention from tech enthusiasts and industry analysts alike.
While Qira's modular design provides adaptability, it also introduces complexities. Relying on multiple partners could lead to integration challenges or inconsistent performance across devices. Snow acknowledged the pace of AI advancement as a key driver for this flexibility, but he did not specify timelines for broader availability. Lenovo plans to roll out Qira on select upcoming models, though exact launch dates remain undisclosed.
Broader implications extend to consumer privacy and data usage in AI. As assistants like Qira gain autonomy, questions about control and security persist. Lenovo's emphasis on opt-in features aligns with growing regulatory scrutiny, including upcoming EU AI Act provisions that mandate transparency in high-risk systems. Snow's comments suggest the company is proactively addressing these concerns to build trust.
Looking ahead, Qira could redefine how hardware makers compete in an AI-driven market. By centralizing AI efforts, Lenovo is betting on software as the new battleground, potentially influencing peers to follow suit. As Snow put it, this initiative is about creating intelligence that "works with you throughout the day," hinting at a future where devices anticipate needs rather than merely respond to commands.
For now, the success of Qira will hinge on user adoption and real-world utility. Early feedback from Lenovo insiders is positive, but widespread retention— a stumbling block for Moto AI—will be crucial. With CES buzzing over innovations from companies like Samsung and Intel, Lenovo's Qira stands out as a hardware-software fusion aimed at everyday empowerment.
As the AI race intensifies, Lenovo's measured, multi-model strategy may offer a blueprint for sustainable integration. Whether it captures the imagination of its millions of users remains to be seen, but the company's global footprint ensures Qira's impact will be felt far beyond Las Vegas.