AI has taken the tech world by storm in recent years, with companies racing to integrate artificial intelligence into their products and services. Not one to be left behind, Microsoft has thrown its hat into the ring with a recent announcement that promises to usher in a new era for the Windows PC.
Dubbed “Copilot+,” this revolutionary set of next-generation AI features and experiences is set to debut exclusively on a new breed of Copilot+ branded PCs launching in the coming weeks.
Microsoft’s bold move represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of the AI-powered PC, promising to deliver cutting-edge capabilities that will redefine the way we interact with our machines.
What is a Copilot+ PC?
To qualify as a Copilot+ PC, a device must meet specific hardware requirements that enable advanced AI processing.
These include an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), at least 16GB of RAM, and the ability to achieve a minimum of 40 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) of computing power.
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Series chips are the first Windows PC chips to meet this benchmark, positioning them as the pioneers in the Copilot+ PC revolution.
However, Intel and AMD are expected to follow suit with their own Copilot+ compatible chips later this year.
Key AI Features of Copilot+ PCs
Microsoft is spotlighting several revolutionary AI features that will be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, each designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and the overall user experience.
1. Recall: A Powerful Productivity Tool
One of the most remarkable features is Recall, which runs in the background and remembers everything you see and do on your computer, enabling you to search for anything you’ve done using natural language queries, across any app.
The Recall feature includes a built-in Timeline interface, allowing users to scroll through different snapshots captured by Windows based on their search criteria. For instance, if you search for “iPhone,” every instance where content about iPhones appeared on your screen will be displayed along the timeline, enabling you to revisit that information with ease.
2. Contextually Aware AI Assistance
Copilot+ PCs also offer visually and contextually aware AI assistance, providing helpful suggestions based on what’s currently on your screen. Whether you’re working with images, documents, or webpages, Copilot+ will offer contextual prompts to help you edit, compare, or enhance your content with a single click.
3. Enhanced Live Captions and Studio Effects
Live Captions have been enhanced to translate over 40 different languages into English from any live or pre-recorded audio and video, directly on the device without relying on the cloud.
Additionally, Windows Studio Effects have been upgraded, enabling you to virtually improve lighting conditions or apply real-time artistic styles to your webcam video feed.
4. Improved Generative AI for Creativity
Microsoft is also highlighting improved generative AI functionality for Copilot and Cocreator on Copilot+ PCs. These devices will be capable of generating images and text without relying on the cloud, resulting in a much faster and more seamless experience for certain tasks.
Moreover, Cocreator can now draw alongside you and provide artistic suggestions, further enhancing your creative capabilities.
