According to the Verge, Vole is calling on its OEM allies to rise to the occasion, crafting a harmonious blend of cutting-edge hardware and software to bring the AI PC concept to life. The blueprint for this tech marvel is a powerhouse system boasting a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), top-tier CPUs and GPUs, and the pièce de résistance—access to Microsoft's trailblazing Copilot.

Yet, amidst this tech tango, a caveat emerges. Some laptops, like the sleek Asus ROG Zephyrus, find themselves in a quandary. Despite being armed with Intel's latest Core Ultra chips, they fall short of Microsoft's stringent AI PC criteria, lacking the coveted Copilot key. Intel, however, begs to differ, still embracing these machines within its AI PC fold.

Todd Lewellen, Intel's maestro of the PC ecosystem said that Intel and Microsoft have harmonised on Core Ultra, Copilot, and the Copilot key.

From Intel's vantage point, our AI PC is not just about Core Ultra; the integrated NPU is unlocking a realm of new possibilities in the AI domain. Our synergy with Microsoft is robust, yet we acknowledge the existence of systems sans the physical key, yet still equipped with our integrated NPU."

Both Intel and Microsoft hope OEMs will align with Microsoft's vision and integrate the Copilot key into their designs. It is possible that Asus' offerings were ahead of the curve, launched before Microsoft's guidelines were set in stone.

Dell's CES showcase, adorned with Copilot stickers, hints at a last-minute addition to the tech extravaganza.

It is unclear what incentives await OEMs who embrace Microsoft's AI PC ethos. Queries to Microsoft for insights into its AI PC strategy were met with silence; the tech titan remains tight-lipped. Yet, with the AI PC seal of approval, Microsoft has already emblazoned its latest Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 business devices. It is possible that there be a sticker campaign or perhaps a marketing windfall for OEMs.

Intel isn't resting on its laurels, either. The company is turbocharging its AI PC acceleration initiative, first launched last October. This program is not just for the big players; it's reaching out to the Davids of the developer world, enticing them with AI's limitless potential. Intel's calendar is dotted with events offering developers hands-on experience with AI models and tools, complemented by an AI PC hardware development kit – essentially an ASUS NUC Pro 14, kitted out with all the software, drivers, and dev tools one could dream of.

This developer-centric approach could herald a new era of apps harnessing the raw power of NPU hardware. Microsoft's Windows Studio Effects stands as a solitary beacon, using the NPU to finesse video call backgrounds and maintain eye contact.

Intel's ambitions don't stop with software; hardware vendors are also in its crosshairs as it strives to fine-tune and empower their offerings for the AI PC revolution. It's a race against time and Qualcomm, with the latter poised to unveil its Snapdragon X Elite laptops, promising a seismic shift in Windows on Arm performance.

The stage is set for 20 May, when Microsoft's AI and Surface spectacle will unfold, with CEO Satya Nadella poised to share the company's AI hardware and software vision.