ASI Tech Seminar tackles the concept of artificial intelligence
The digital landscape is continuing to evolve at a radical phase. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a dynamic technology trend that is poised to revolutionize the future of humanity. We are witnessing a seamless integration of concepts that were once confined to science fiction into our everyday reality. AI exemplifies this shift, as it moves from the realm of imagination into practical implementation. AI has now seamlessly blended itself into our daily lives, fundamentally altering the way we work, communicate, and interact with the world around us.
Advance Solutions Inc (ASI) conducted a tech update seminar on the concept of artificial intelligence on June 25, 2024 at Lanson Place Mall of Asia in Manila. The seminar, entitled “Empowering AI Innovation” was held in cooperation with Microsoft, Intel Philippines and Dell Technologies. For the past 28 years, ASI has been providing high quality but cost-effective IT products to its valued clients. Part of ASI’s commitment is to update and educate its clients about the emerging trends in technology.
During the first part of the program, the following brand partners of ASI presented a thorough discussion on the subject matter of artificial intelligence or AI:
Ms. Vivian A. Pasia, Partner Sales Manager of Intel Philippines started off with a call that for 2024, it’s time to refresh your PC fleet and be AI ready. She then proceeded to introduce the Intel® Core Ultra Processors for business users which are up to 47% better office app productivity vs 3-year-old PC and up to 36% processor power reduction gen-over-gen for video conferencing.
She stated that Intel and partner Microsoft codefined AI PC definition and went on to explain what is an Intel® powered AI PC. It’s a PC with Intel® Core Ultra that brings new AI experiences in productivity, creativity, and security through a combination of the CPU, GPU, and the new NPU. She added the Microsoft’s requirements for an AI PC: comes with Copilot; has the Copilot key; comes with new NPU, CPU, and GPU powered silicon.
For her part, Ms Wendy B. Gurra, Industry Technical Specialist of Intel Philippines, discussed the 5th Gen Intel® Xeon® processors which are specifically designed for AI. She said that they are architected for general AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). The 5th Gen Intel® Xeon® CPUs deliver significant AI performance across range of workloads. The 5th Gen Xeon also beats market requirements on LLM latencies.
Ms Gurra then talked about the Intel® Gaudi® 3 AI accelerator which is bringing choice to Gen AI with performance, scalability and efficiency. She stated how Intel® Gaudi® addresses enterprise challenges: Need more choice other than single-source GPUs; Locked-in with proprietary software and networking; Ability to scale while containing costs of infrastructure; Maximize efficiency yet still solve business challenges.
The next speaker was Jep Antiporda – Solutions Engineer from Microsoft and he brought up the idea of upgrading to the new Windows 11 Pro devices which are designed to provide the latest AI-enhanced features to help improve insights and efficiency in order to stay competitive. Older devices can increase vulnerability and waiting for tomorrow to modernize could cost your business dearly today. Also, control costs are crucial because older devices take more time to maintain, could expose you to costly security risks, and can dampen employee productivity and satisfaction.
Mr Antiporda went on to discuss the rising importance of AI in the workplace since the pace of modern work demands a new approach. People spend more than half their day (57%) communicating in meetings, email and chat, and just 43% creating. Since 2020, the amount of time people spend in meetings has tripled. Employees welcome ways to simplify their workday and make a bigger impact. Then he talked about Copilot in Windows — your AI assistant at work does the heavy-lifting so you can do the extraordinary. This AI tool helps users stay organized and in the flow with one place to get relevant answers to complex questions, tailor settings for your workstyle, set up focus sessions refine and clarify their content.
After the two presentations which focused on software, the next two speakers dwelt on hardware this time. The first one was Sol Gaerlan, Solutions Architect – Team Lead at Dell Technologies and he started off with what can AI do for business: Increase efficiency and productivity; enable data driven decisions; and value for your ROI. But since the foundation of AI is data, managing data is pertinent to success. This is where Dell technology comes into the picture. Dell PowerScale and ECS handle massive amounts of unstructured data by design with security in mind. PowerScale delivers exceptional scale and performance via single namespace, NVMe all-flash and GPUDirect.
Mr Gaerlan proceeded to discuss about the Dell AI Factory, a new type of data center which aims to help customers make the most of their data, the raw material that powers the AI factory, to achieve their desired outcomes. Dell brings to the table the industry’s only end-to-end AI-optimized infrastructure portfolio, an open ecosystem of deep partnerships with other leading AI companies, and insight and know-how of comprehensive suite of AI services – from strategy and planning to implementation and scaling.
The Dell AI Factory offers: Comprehensive AI services and validated, optimized solutions make AI easier, augmenting skills gaps and addressing data readiness; Trusted infrastructure, full-stack solutions and services ensure valuable data is protected, managed and accessible; Industry’s broadest AI solutions portfolio addresses “no one-size-fits all” approach. Further, the Dell AI Factory design helps organizations bring AI as close as possible to where their data lives to minimize latency, lower costs, and maintain data security by keeping sensitive information within a controlled environment.
The last one to present, Michelle Juliano who is Product Marketing Manager also from Dell Technologies, talked about harnessing the power of AI with Dell client solutions. For her introduction, she said that Generative AI is the catalyst for multi-decade productivity and Gen-AI is poised as a game-changer bringing up to $4.4 trillion potential economic benefits. She stated further that Dell empowers users to transform work and innovate everywhere while working closely with Intel and Microsoft in utilizing AI.
For client solutions, she cited the Dell Optimizer which is using AI as a free software that helps eliminate noise background indicating intelligent privacy. Another client solution is the OptiPlex portfolio which transform existing conference rooms into smart, secure, connected meeting spaces. Ms Juliano also featured Dell peripherals such as headsets, mouse and rechargeable keyboard.
The event was capped with a Q&A portion, where participants had the chance to interact with the speakers. The audience also had fun participating in games and in winning prizes in the raffle draws. But most importantly, the activity has brought a wealth of knowledge about the current trend on artificial intelligence.
