Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Written by: Izzat Najmi Abdullah, Journalist, AOPG.

The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas buzzed with excitement as Dell Technologies World 2024 (DTW 2024) entered its second day. If we were concerned that Artificial Intelligence (AI) might be overhyped recently, the events at the DTW conference proved otherwise. The theme of the day, “Making AI Real,” resonated throughout the conference halls, with keynote addresses, panel discussions, and demos showcasing the transformative power of AI.

Data: The Fuel of the New Industrial Revolution

Jeff Clarke, Dell Technologies Vice Chairman and COO, kicked off the day’s keynote with a powerful analogy. He compared the current AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution, but instead of steam and steel, the raw materials of this new era are data and information. This shift necessitates a fundamental change in computing architecture.

Clarke reiterated the concept of the Dell AI Factory, introduced on the first day, as a comprehensive solution designed to handle the immense processing needs of AI workloads. Unlike traditional architectures that struggle with AI demands, the Dell AI Factory takes raw data and transforms it into actionable insights, knowledge, and wisdom – a process Clarke described as “unveiling possibilities we’ve never had before.”

Jeff Clarke, Dell Technologies Vice Chairman and COO at DTW 2024.

“The new machines are GPUs capable of massive parallel processing performing trillions of floating-point operations per second,” Clarke said. “That, when coupled with high-speed AI fabrics, AI speed storage, the right models and data tools, transforms data and information into insights, knowledge, and wisdom we’ve never had before.”

Building the AI Ecosystem: Openness and Collaboration

The success of the AI revolution hinges on open collaboration and a diverse ecosystem of partners. Clarke emphasised that vast amounts of data reside on-premises and at the network edge, not solely within public clouds. This decentralisation necessitates bringing AI to the data, rather than the other way around.

Furthermore, a one-size-fits-all approach to AI is impractical. Clarke championed open, modular architectures and open-source models as the cornerstone for efficient enterprise integration of AI. He predicted that most organisations would leverage pre-trained, open-source models like Meta’s Llama 3 to implement “GenAI” (Generative AI) in their workflows. These models, combined with intelligent data pipelines, ensure that AI receives accurate and comprehensive data for optimal performance.

The Rise of Inferencing and the Power of AI PCs

The future of AI lies not just in model training but also in “inferencing,” the process of applying trained models to solve real-world problems. Clarke predicted that by 2030, a staggering 90% of compute power will be dedicated to inferencing, highlighting the need for efficient and scalable solutions.

The keynote also addressed the growing role of AI-powered personal computers. Sam Burd, President of Dell’s Client Solutions Group, introduced the concept of AI PCs. These intelligent machines are designed to be a “true digital partner,” empowering developers, creators, and professionals to work more efficiently and solve problems faster.

Burd showcased the power of AI PCs with a live demonstration alongside Matt Barlow, Microsoft Corporate Vice President for Windows. The demo highlighted how AI can enhance productivity for tasks like content creation and information retrieval.

Formula 1 Gets a Little Nudge by AI

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown joined Clarke on stage to illustrate how AI is revolutionising the world of Formula One racing. McLaren uses Dell AI solutions extensively in car development, running millions of simulations to optimise performance and make critical decisions in real time. Brown emphasised the cutthroat nature of F1 racing, where a car that starts in pole position can become obsolete by year’s end. With AI, it enables McLaren to bridge the gap between the digital world and the racetrack, ensuring their on-track success.

Partnerships Propelling Innovation

The Dell Technologies World stage saw several key partnerships highlighted. Broadcom President Charlie Kawwas discussed the importance of high-performance networking solutions for facilitating large-scale AI applications. Dell’s Infrastructure Solutions Group President, Arthur Lewis, showcased the company’s comprehensive AI solutions portfolio spanning desktops, data centres, and the cloud.

Lewis then introduced Ihab Tarazi, Dell SVP and CTO for AI, Compute and Networking, and Sy Choudhury, Director of AI partnerships at Meta. Their discussion revolved around the importance of open-source models like Llama 3 in driving AI innovation. Choudhury emphasised the benefits of open-source models, including community-driven performance and security improvements. Their partnership allows Dell Technologies and Meta to deliver well-integrated and optimised solutions for diverse use cases.

Clarke concluded the keynote by outlining Dell Technologies’ strategy to propel AI adoption across industries. Dell Technologies boasts the world’s broadest AI solutions portfolio, encompassing everything from AI-powered desktops to data centre solutions and cloud-based services. Additionally, Dell Technologies fosters a thriving ecosystem of partners and offers comprehensive professional and consulting services to guide organisations through their AI journey.

A Connected World Powered by AI

Dell Technologies envisions a future where AI fundamentally transforms data centre architecture and data flows. Silos of information will crumble, replaced by a more connected landscape where data fuels innovation. Dell Technologies World 2024 served as a powerful testament to Dell Technologies’ commitment to being at the forefront of this revolution, empowering organisations to unlock the vast potential of AI and navigate the complexities of this transformative era. The conference wasn’t just about showcasing cutting-edge technology; it was a platform for open dialogue about the ethical considerations and potential challenges that accompany AI advancement.

Dell Technologies, along with its partners and customers, has a unique opportunity to spearhead the responsible and ethical development of AI, ensuring its benefits are widely shared.

(0)(0)