Michael Dell pushes partners to emerging tech but says PC industry will remain strong

CEO also swipes at IBM for leaving the PC market too early

Michael Dell opened Dell Technologies World by urging partners to investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and data, while also taking a cheap shot at IBM.

Speaking to a room of more than 14,000 delegates including 5,000 channel representatives in Las Vegas, Michael Dell said organisations are in danger of losing their competitive edge if they are unable to implement AI and machine learning to use data.

"To be competitive in the future, you have got to use software and data and AI," he said.

"Businesses are starting to use AI and machine learning to use that data much more effectively… Data helps make a product or a solution better, and this allows a company to attract more customers, which then results in more data, and the cycle repeats itself."

He added: "AI is your rocket ship and data is the fuel for your rocket. If you know how to use it, your data will become your most valuable asset - even more valuable than your applications."

The CEO, however, stressed that Dell's PC business will continue to thrive despite a push towards emerging technologies such as AI and IoT.

Michael Dell recounted IBM's departure from the PC business more than 20 years ago. Dell's CEO quoted the firm declaring the beginning of a "post-PC era".

"Our PC business is rocking. In the last five years, every year and every quarter we have gained share and we expect to do so again this quarter," he said.

"It has been 20 years since IBM declared the post-PC era. Since then, four billion PCs have been sold, so maybe they got that bit wrong. But what they got right is that computing would expand to include imbedded devices."