Executive Interview: What the approaching end-of-support for Windows 10 means for IT leaders, with Dennis Luo

As Windows 10 nears its end-of-support, Intel is urging IT leaders to see the transition as more than a routine upgrade. In this interview, Dennis Luo, senior director and general manager of Client AI PC Worldwide Strategic Alliances at Intel, explains how this moment can be a strategic opportunity to rethink endpoint strategies and embrace AI-powered PCs.

Computing host Sydney Neely sat down with Luo to discuss how AI PCs are reshaping productivity, security and manageability—and why now is the time to act.

Sydney: With Windows 10 approaching end-of-support, many customers are weighing upgrade options. Why is now a great time for IT leaders to rethink their entire endpoint strategy?

Dennis:  We look at the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as a tremendous opportunity to reflect on how computing has evolved. With all the AI changes happening over the last couple of years—like running small language models on the client and enabling true agentic multitasking—these are things that weren’t possible before. We absolutely want to show end users and IT decision-makers how to take advantage of that with this new round of devices.

Sydney: AI PCs are getting a lot of attention. What are some of the practical benefits, especially around manageability, security or productivity, that end-user organisations can take advantage of today?

Dennis:  AI PCs serve a number of applications. At Intel, we look at it from a persona standpoint—how do we make sure choice is the killer option? We’re actively enabling a variety of applications across multiple personas. We’ve worked with over 200 worldwide ISVs to enable 480 AI features.

For example, we’ve partnered with Zoom for video collaboration—enabling noise suppression, background blur and AI lighting to help you look professional, while also improving battery life, which is super critical. On the security side, we’re working with companies like CrowdStrike to enable faster endpoint security and management. Reducing CPU load from 20 percent down to 1 percent really enables local, secure experiences that are much faster and more responsive than sending data to the cloud.

For manageability, we’re working with companies like Lakeside to provide new AI telemetry. That allows companies of all sizes to better measure software usage across their PC fleets and gain new insights into what’s being used in their environments.

Sydney: Intel’s ISV ecosystem was brought up as a big advantage. How is this, and AI PCs’ broad benefits, helping in sectors like finance or government?

Dennis:  That’s a question we get a lot—understanding what software is going to be critical for these spaces. What we’ve seen is that companies care about protecting their IP, securing their data and keeping costs in check. To support that, we’ve enabled many companies to serve these sectors.

One example is Edge Runner, a large language model provider focused on the specific needs of the military, government and law enforcement. They’ve won a contract with the Air Force to provide air-gapped solutions for high data security, retrieval-augmented generation for loading mission-specific data, and optimising AI PCs for remote locations—whether that’s in the Pacific or on a base.

Another example is LLMware, a powerful agentic AI solution with access to over 80 models, optimised for Intel AI PCs. LLMware allows financial controllers, analysts, data brokers—any knowledge worker, really—to easily deploy AI agents to multitask and simplify their work.

Sydney: For customers planning their endpoint strategy over the next three to five years, what’s your advice on how to prepare for the future—and why does that matter right now?

Dennis:  We’re a few years into this AI revolution, and people are still asking whether the AI bubble will burst. What we’re seeing across companies, customers and end users is that AI is already being used by 60 percent of their people. It’s here to stay. AI has changed how we work and how we’re productive.

The ROI is very real—the productivity gains, time savings, and performance improvements are measurable. So the question I’d pose to everyone is: At what point does a 20 percent gain become meaningful? A 40 percent gain? These are the kinds of improvements we’re seeing with AI PCs. So my ask is: Don’t wait. Take advantage of this opportunity today. Your workers will benefit from it already.

The shift away from Windows 10 is more than a deadline—it’s a chance to modernise. For more on how Intel is supporting that journey, visit here.