Michael Dell has never been one to shy away from bold moves. From building computers in his dorm room to transforming Dell Technologies into one of the largest and most innovative companies in the world, Dell’s entrepreneurial spirit has always been driven by curiosity, risk-taking, and relentless ambition. Today, as AI takes center stage, Dell remains at the forefront, shaping a future powered by technology.
“We are in the first 10% of the S-curve,” Dell said of AI adoption during a recent interview. For him, this is just the beginning. He sees immense untapped potential in businesses and enterprises globally, where AI can unlock new efficiencies, automate mundane tasks, and, most importantly, reimagine entire processes. “Most of the data that exists in the world hasn’t even been touched… There will also be compounding improvements that layer on top of the existing improvements,” he added, his words reflecting his conviction in the transformative nature of the technology.
Dell Technologies’ role in this AI revolution is substantial. The company has emerged as a leader in building advanced AI server farms — the backbone of AI training and inference models.
“We are probably the leading company in the world now building these large AI server farms,” Dell stated. He believes AI will occur wherever data resides — whether on personal devices, vehicles, or in massive data centers — and Dell Technologies is positioning itself to ensure it powers every step of this evolution.
This clear focus on innovation is embedded in Dell’s company culture. He describes it in simple but sharp terms: “It’s winning. It’s delivering value for our customers. It’s understanding their requirements and solving them.” Dell’s competitive drive stems from his belief that technology must always progress: “We keep asking to do more and more things. Now the big thing that’s going into the PC is AI.”
The AI PC is one of Dell’s most compelling ideas. With neural processing units (NPUs) designed to accelerate AI capabilities on personal devices, Dell predicts a significant leap in functionality: “85 to 90% of the AI will run locally on your PC. If you want to be in the future, you’ll want these tools.” He compares older devices to the future-ready AI PCs, emphasizing that innovation will always compel upgrades.
AI’s real promise, however, extends far beyond devices. For Dell, it’s about enabling transformative outcomes for society.
“The impact that technology has on the world in a very positive way, that’s what excites me,” he said, referencing AI’s potential in healthcare, drug discovery, and education. Dell imagines AI as an “infinitely patient tutor” capable of empowering human potential in ways never seen before.
Looking back on his journey, Dell’s success is as much about vision as it is about execution. His advice to young entrepreneurs echoes his own beginnings: “Experiment. Take risks. Fail. Find difficult problems. Do something valuable.” The entrepreneur who once disassembled his first computer to “understand how things worked” still believes that curiosity is the key to solving the world’s toughest challenges.
From pioneering the direct-to-customer model that revolutionized supply chains to leading the AI transformation, Michael Dell’s story is one of adaptability, ambition, and impact. As AI reshapes industries and the world, Dell is clear about his company’s mission: “Our job is to make it so compelling that you don’t want your old tools anymore. It’s about progress, and it’s about delivering what’s next.”
For Dell, what’s next is always bigger, better and more exciting.
