Productivity 101: how to maximize your life with an AI PC

As we enter the holiday season, many of us are on the lookout for the latest technologies to enhance our daily lives. One such advancement is undoubtedly the AI PC, which brings AI capabilities directly into the PC’s CPU. This technology is poised to revolutionise how we interact with our computers, making them smarter, faster, more secure and more efficient. In fact, an AI PC might just be the best and most useful addition to your holiday wish list. Why? Let me share my thoughts.

The adoption of AI PCs is on the rise, alongside their potential to save people significant amounts of time on routine tasks. Intel’s recent survey of 6,000 respondents conducted across France, Germany and the UK revealed that cumulatively, we lose nearly 15 hours weekly to ‘digital chores.’ That is more than one-third of the working week spent on tasks such as email composition, file searching and data analysis that could be managed much more efficiently with the support of an AI PC. By harnessing the power of AI, these devices promise to reclaim valuable time for more meaningful and enjoyable activities.

However, this promise won’t come true unless users know how to leverage the technology effectively to maximise their time. Our research also uncovered that many consumers who already own an AI PC actually spend more time on computer chores than those with traditional PCs. This suggests that early adopters are struggling to grasp how to best utilise the embedded AI to augment their PC activities and are spending longer than necessary identifying how to generate desired outcomes. This finding indicates a critical need for tips and tricks around using this new technology in order to increase efficiency. So, what can an AI PC do to make computer chores easier and more efficient?

Whether you’re hoping to unbox your first AI PC this holiday season or simply looking for ways to improve the utility of your current model, I’ve compiled a few tips to help you unlock its full potential.

1. Streamlining email management 

Managing emails is one of the most time-consuming tasks for many users. On average, people spend around 60 minutes each week writing emails, and another 56 minutes organising their inboxes – both in the workplace and personal lives. AI systems process text nearly instantly, while the average human types at 40-60 words per minute. This time saver alone demonstrates how AI PCs can significantly streamline the email writing process, and that’s not to mention additional features like predictive text input and email summarization. These tools can help you compose emails faster and keep your inbox organised with minimal effort.

2. Optimizing file searches 

Searching for files can be a frustrating and time-consuming task, eating through roughly 51 minutes each week. AI PCs come equipped with advanced search capabilities that quickly locate files based on keywords, dates, and even the content within the documents. This means you can find what you need in seconds, rather than minutes, freeing up more time for productive work or to enjoy an episode of your favourite TV show.

3. Enhancing data handling 

Data management is another area where AI PCs truly shine. Intel’s research shows that users spend approximately 68 minutes compiling data and another 75 minutes analysing it each week. That’s longer than the average flight time from London to Berlin! AI tools automate many of these tasks, from data sorting to generating insights, allowing you to focus on higher-level analysis and decision-making.

4. Improving meeting efficiency

Taking meeting notes and summarising them can take up almost 60 minutes each week. AI PCs assist with real-time transcription and summarisation, taking the pressure out of capturing key points and action items during meetings – and allowing you to be far more present. On average, it can take up to four times the length of a meeting to manually transcribe the minutes, whereas AI transcribes in near real-time. This considerable timesaver ensures that nothing important is missed and enables you to move ahead with follow up actions sooner.

5. Leveraging adaptive learning 

One of the standout features of AI PCs is their ability to learn from usage patterns and adapt to user needs. This means that, over time, your AI PC will become more attuned to your personal preferences, providing personalised recommendations and automating routine tasks. For example, if you frequently listen to music while cooking, your AI PC can learn to automatically suggest your favourite playlists as mealtime approaches. Or, if you often use certain apps or websites in the evening, your AI PC can pre-load these for you, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience. By taking advantage of these adaptive learning capabilities, you’re not just able to hack your time, but make doing those daily tasks more enjoyable.

In many ways, the shift to AI PCs can be likened to the arrival of the personal computer revolution in the 1980s. Just as users had to learn new paradigms of computing when transitioning from typewriters and manual filing systems to digital word processors and spreadsheets, today’s consumers must adapt to the sophisticated capabilities of AI-enhanced computers. Back then, the concept of a 'graphical user interface' and 'mouse-click navigation' was foreign and required retraining and rethinking of daily workflows. Similarly, AI PCs necessitate a new mindset and skillset to fully leverage their capabilities.

Understanding AI's potential and learning how to properly integrate it into daily routines can unlock unprecedented levels of productivity and efficiency. With AI built directly into a PC’s CPU, users can not only improve how they use their computers, but also where and when they do so. Bringing these capabilities directly into the machine means less reliance on strong internet connection, which leverages the benefits of remote working, especially as the holiday travel period approaches. This technological revolution is not just about faster processing speeds or improved data storage, it's about fundamentally altering how we interact with and utilise our computers to maximise our time and efficiency.

AI PCs represent a significant leap forward in personal computing. By harnessing their full potential, consumers can make the most of the time-saving revolution they promise and experience the benefits both in their work productivity and personal lives.