In a compelling 30-minute feature on Sky Italy’s TG24 Innovatori series, Luca Rossi, President of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, opened up about what it takes to lead in a fast-moving, AI-powered world. The exclusive interview traced his journey from entrepreneurial roots to the helm of one of the world’s top technology companies.
Innovation as a cultural discipline
“Innovation is a cultural discipline that creates competitive advantage. It’s not just about technology, it’s a mindset.”
For Luca, innovation isn’t limited to R&D or product iterations. It’s a way of thinking that must permeate every part of an organization, from business models to organizational design and user experience. This philosophy fuels Lenovo’s mantra of being a “company of owners,” where employees are empowered to take risks, experiment, and fail fast.
From teen coder to global leader
Luca’s love for technology began early. By age nine, he was already programming; by 19, he had launched his first company, Geo Microsystem. Those formative years taught him the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, wearing many hats, bouncing back from setbacks, and focusing on what matters most.
“The scars from that period taught me to always extract the essence of a problem. First, find your compass, then worry about the details.”
AI: just 1% into the revolution
When asked what excites him most in today’s tech landscape, Luca pointed to generative AI. He believes we’re only “1%” into its potential, comparing it to the dawn of the internet in the 1990s.
“AI will reshape our devices, our work, and even how we interact with the world. In five years, the PC as we know it may not exist.”
Under his leadership, Lenovo is leading this transformation through innovations like Lenovo AI Now and Smart Connect, aiming to build ecosystems of smart, adaptive, and personalized devices.
Designing for creativity and inclusion
Beyond performance specs, Rossi stressed the importance of design and accessibility. As computing performance becomes commoditized, true differentiation lies in creativity and experience. Lenovo is investing in UX and inclusive design to ensure its technologies are powerful, intuitive, and accessible to all.
Lenovo’s global/local DNA
Rossi described Lenovo as “one of a kind”: a company with Chinese roots, dual headquarters in the U.S. and China, and a leadership team that mirrors its global mindset.
“We call it Global/Local: global vision, local execution. Our leaders are local. We know how to navigate complexity.”
This decentralized approach gives Lenovo a unique agility, an asset in today’s unpredictable geopolitical landscape.
The customer of the future
According to Luca, future customers, whether consumers or enterprises, will be shaped by two major forces:
- AI That Delivers Value: Individuals want AI that enhances daily life; businesses want scalable productivity and clear ROI.
- Sustainability as a Core Driver: Environmental responsibility is no longer optional; it’s a central factor in purchase decisions. Rossi sees Lenovo’s progress here as a growing source of pride.
Vision 2030: AI as the next Internet
“AI is the most profound shift we’ll see between now and 2030. It will be as impactful as the internet, changing how we live, work, and think.”
In a world undergoing massive change, Luca Rossi’s calm, global perspective and belief in human-centric innovation provide both a compass and a challenge: to lead with creativity, curiosity, and courage.
This exclusive interview offers a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset shaping Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, and a powerful reminder of the impact bold thinking can have in a complex global tech landscape.