LAS VEGAS – Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, sees AI as the next major shift in how we engage with technology, predicting it will soon be as commonplace as the internet and cloud services.
“We’re stepping into an era of pervasive intelligence. AI will be as essential as electricity,” he stated during his keynote at Dell Technologies World 2025. Attendees noted that while AI implementations are accelerating, experts highlighted the growing security risks that come with this rapidly evolving technology.
Dell pointed out that many AI advancements focus sharply on demanding data center needs, particularly for large language models (LLMs). He argued that enterprises require tailored hardware and partnerships to effectively run AI applications at local branches or edge locations. This strategy hinges on larger private clouds that harness on-premises data stores to power AI applications within organizations.
During the keynote, he emphasized that the Dell AI Factory, along with newly launched hardware, aims to speed up deployment times for companies not selling AI directly. “We appreciate the innovators pushing boundaries, but for most of us, the reality looks different,” he remarked. “AI isn’t just your product.”
AI in Action
Take Lowe’s, for example. The well-known home improvement retailer leverages Dell hardware to integrate AI across its 1,700 stores and support its 300,000 employees. Seemantini Godbole, Lowe’s Chief Digital and Information Officer, highlighted that quick access to information is crucial for their AI approach.
Every Lowe’s location has a compact setup of Dell servers to run AI tools on handheld devices from Zebra Technologies. These tools help employees access product details and field customer inquiries. The AI also sends alerts to let staff know when customers need assistance. “AI is responsive to the data,” Godbole noted. “We opted for micro data centers in the back of stores.”
Godbole is also looking at expanding their data center approach to cater to various business needs beyond retail, spanning areas like engineering and executive functions. “We need diverse deployment sizes; one size doesn’t fit all,” she said, adding a desire to avoid getting bogged down by countless pilot projects. Notably, AI is already enhancing engineering by enabling code reviews without needing managerial oversight, making feedback less emotionally charged. “It’s easier to take feedback from a machine,” she pointed out.
On the Front Lines of AI
Optimism from early adopters like Lowe’s is encouraging others to jump on the AI bandwagon, according to Santosh Agrawal, co-founder of Esconet Technologies in New Delhi. “Most customers are eager to create their own private AI,” he noted. However, he highlighted a big hurdle: clients are at different stages in terms of AI readiness. Solutions like the Dell AI Factory can streamline the hardware deployment process, particularly for those unsure about their AI strategy.
“There are clients with clear visions, but many need guidance,” Agrawal said.
Navigating the Complex Landscape
While many businesses want to adopt AI, the pace of technological release is outstripping actual implementation, according to Mike Leone, an analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. He acknowledged that Dell’s bundled hardware can help speed things up, but companies still need to identify solid use cases and train staff effectively.
“The hype is outpacing practical use,” Leone observed. “Many organizations haven’t even engaged with generative AI yet, and now there’s talk of agents. This complexity emphasizes the need for partnerships.”
Security Challenges Ahead
As excitement mounts, new security risks emerge, warned Maxim Balin, a cybersecurity consultant at Dell Technologies. He pointed out that AI’s infrastructure introduces challenges that existing security measures may not address.
Balin discussed potential threats, including hackers manipulating AI response systems and corrupting data used to train AI models. Combatting these risks requires innovative cybersecurity strategies, like adopting a zero-trust model. “Clients often invest heavily in security only to find it falters under new threats,” he said.
Analyst Krista Case from The Futurum Group echoed the need to rethink security frameworks for AI, underscoring that understanding AI agents’ intentions is still an evolving challenge. “Finding effective strategies for AI security is an ongoing process,” she stated.
Security teams must recognize AI as a multifaceted problem, Balin concluded. “We can’t just zero in on one area; we need to manage the entire environment. We’re only at the starting line.”