Chinese tech giant Lenovo boosts AI efforts with new servers, professional computers powered by Nvidia GPUs and software

Lenovo said it has added two new Nvidia graphics-processing-unit (GPU) systems to its AI server series, ThinkSystem. The servers are designed to support professional users in developing generative AI and large language models – the technology underpinning ChatGPT and similar AI tools.

Under the two companies’ collaboration, Lenovo’s server clients can use Nvidia’s enterprise-facing generative AI software, the Beijing-based company said on Monday. Customers can also access “microservices”, a set of new Nvidia tools that let developers create and deploy custom generative AI applications, Nvidia announced on the same day.

Silicon-Valley-based Nvidia is the world’s leading supplier of GPUs used for processing massive amounts of data used in AI models. Nvidia processors are in high demand, as companies around the world, including those in China, race to build and deploy generative AI models and related applications.

On Monday, Lenovo also announced new computer workstations pre-installed with Nvidia GPUs and software that support industrial users, scientists and developers in generative AI tasks.

The products are part of a partnership struck between Nvidia and Lenovo in October.

The Chinese company, which operates in more than 180 markets worldwide, has also vowed to put more financial and human resources into AI research and development (R&D).

Last August, Lenovo said it would invest US$1 billion over three years to accelerate AI deployment for businesses around the world. The firm’s R&D headcount increased by more than 25 per cent last year, with its full-year R&D expenses-to-revenue ratio projected to reach a record high, the company said last month.