“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,” he told indianexpress.com. 

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Zielinski further enumerated a few 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, once a user places their smartphone on the table, and instead of taking copious notes during an hour-and-a-half-long discussion, their phone does it for them. At the end of the meeting, one can ask it to generate a concise summary of what was discussed. He explained that the feature allows the user to focus on the conversation without worrying about note-taking. “I used to fill five pages of notes per hour-long meeting—now, I just place my phone on the table, pay attention, and get an automatic summary,” Zielinski said while explaining how Lenovo is continuously working towards bringing unique and meaningful use cases of AI to its vast user base. 

On user expectations

With numerous smartphone brands coming out with virtually identical AI features, one could wisely predict a sense of user fatigue. While there is no research or report to support this kind of user behaviour, we asked Zielinski about his thoughts on whether this homogeneity in AI features across smartphone brands is leading to user fatigue. “I don’t think user fatigue has set in yet. While it can feel overwhelming, we haven’t seen a flood of AI-driven use cases that have been fully productised,” the Lenovo executive said assuringly. He added that Lenovo customers aren’t signalling fatigue or a need to ‘tap the brakes due to too much AI. 

“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

As part of the flagship event marking the two decades of the brand’s operations in India, Lenovo’s top executives also unveiled an ambitious strategy to position the country as a crucial hub for AI, manufacturing, and AI. The Lenovo leadership stated that India is no longer just a market but a strategic cornerstone for the company’s global growth and technological advancement. Zielinski emphasised the company’s massive investment in the Indian market. “India is by far one of the most important markets in the world for us,” Zielinski stated.

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“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.”

The company’s commitment extends beyond just sales. Lenovo has established three manufacturing facilities in India, not just serving the local market but positioning the country as a significant export hub. “We’re building for India and shipping out of India to operations around the world,” Zielinski explained.