Microsoft has officially unveiled its revamped Copilot experience, featuring a slew of AI-powered features designed to transform the platform into a more personalized and intuitive AI assistant. The announcement, made at the company's New York City event, marks a significant milestone in Microsoft's "AI PC" push, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence into its Windows operating system.
The new Copilot design boasts a card-based look across mobile, web, and Windows, with features like Copilot Vision, which enables the AI assistant to see what users are looking at. Additionally, Copilot now includes a natural voice conversation mode, reminiscent of OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode, allowing users to engage in more conversational interactions with the AI.
Another notable feature is the virtual news presenter mode, which can read headlines to users, providing a more immersive and interactive experience. This feature is part of Microsoft's efforts to make Copilot a more comprehensive AI companion, capable of understanding and responding to users' needs in a more human-like way.
In addition to the Copilot overhaul, Microsoft also announced updates to its Windows 11 operating system, including a new Phone Link status feature in the Start menu, which displays notifications and phone battery life. Furthermore, Paint and Photos are getting AI-powered features like Generative Fill and Erase, allowing users to edit images with greater precision and ease.
The revamped Windows Search, available on Copilot Plus PCs, now includes a "Click to Do" feature, similar to Google's Circle to Search, enabling users to search for local files using more casual language. This feature leverages semantic indexing, allowing users to find files using natural language queries, even when offline.
The updates come on the heels of an executive reorganization that saw Pavan Davuluri take charge of Windows and Surface, while Mustafa Suleyman became the CEO of AI. Suleyman, who sparked controversy earlier this year with his comments on AI and intellectual property, has penned a memo outlining his vision for a "calmer, more helpful and supportive era of technology" under Microsoft's AI stewardship.
The revamped Copilot experience and Windows updates mark a significant step forward in Microsoft's AI ambitions, as the company seeks to position itself at the forefront of the AI revolution. With its sights set on creating a more personalized and intuitive AI assistant, Microsoft is poised to challenge established players in the AI space, while redefining the boundaries of human-computer interaction.