With the latest updates of Apple iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS 15.1, apple is rapidly enhancing the AI capabilities of its devices, industry experts say this tech giant is just getting started and will introduce more AI features.

How apple supports its ambitious ai global strategy starts with seeking help from foxconn and lenovo to establish the vast AI server infrastructure needed to support cross-device Apple Intelligence features utilizing its Apple M series chips. Apple recognizes the need to enhance its datacenter capabilities to help it compete with tech giants like microsoft, amazon, and google.

Although foxconn has been a long-time iPhone supplier for apple, its experience in producing AI servers for NVIDIA is particularly attractive to apple. However, foxconn cannot fully meet apple's requirements since apple is seeking to enhance its server design and engineering capabilities, prompting lenovo's entry.

This proactive approach highlights apple's determination to catch up with competitors that have invested heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Companies like microsoft and amazon have already started building their own AI datacenters to meet the growing demand for AI solutions, and apple's accelerated push also reflects these trends.

Lenovo will design and produce AI servers for apple, which means it becomes a part of apple's supply chain. This quickly attracted market attention. Lenovo has been actively laying out its datacenter business in recent years, and this entry into the "apple supply chain" undoubtedly opens new growth space for its high-end server business.

Apple's supply chain system has long been known for its strict selection mechanism, being able to become a part of it means that suppliers have reached extremely high standards in technological strength, quality control, and production capacity, especially since AI servers are a first for apple, its requirements for partners are even stricter. This cooperation undoubtedly highlights lenovo's R&D and manufacturing capabilities in the AI server field.

Compared to traditional suppliers, lenovo's global production layout, end-to-end service capability, and the highest product stability globally may be important reasons attracting apple.

From datacenter to edge computing, Lenovo has been expanding its product landscape in recent years, and this diversification capability aligns with Apple's layout for future technology needs, an industry expert pointed out.

AI servers are currently in a rapid growth phase. According to data from market research firm IDC, the global AI server market size is expected to grow at an average annual rate of over 20% in the next five years. With the rise of generative AI, the demand for high-performance computing power from enterprises has surged, which has also significantly boosted the demand for AI servers.

As a leading company in the global technology sector, Apple's demand for AI servers goes beyond just the hardware level, involving deep optimization in the integration of software and hardware. Lenovo's involvement may be an important step for Apple to accelerate its AI ecosystem layout.

However, for Lenovo, the ability to truly gain greater benefits from this collaboration depends on whether it can drive the expansion of other high-end clients through its partnership with Apple. "Becoming a supplier to Apple demands high technical capabilities and cost control capabilities," stated a supply chain analyst.

In the past, the "Apple supply chain effect" has driven the performance and market cap growth of multiple suppliers significantly. Taking luxshare precision industry and lens technology as examples, after joining Apple's supply chain, these companies have largely maintained positive performance in the capital markets. Lenovo's entry into the "Apple supply chain" has led the market to be full of expectations for its future market cap growth space.

This collaboration also reflects Lenovo's strategic choices in its business transformation. In recent years, while AI PCs have brought the personal computer industry back to being a sunrise sector, it remains a moderately growing market until blockbuster applications emerge, whereas AI, big data, and cloud computing are the main tracks for the industry's future. Lenovo's collaboration with Apple not only proves its technical strength in the AI server field but also provides more possibilities for its layout in high value-added markets.