Microsoft Unveils Unified AI Assistant and New Surface Devices
Updated: Jan 9
Microsoft has made an exciting announcement, revealing a "unified" artificial intelligence (AI) assistant for its Windows 11 platform, along with the introduction of four new Surface devices.
These developments aim to enhance the appeal of Microsoft's products by incorporating the latest technology.
The new AI tool, called Copilot, will be integrated across Microsoft's web and productivity applications, including Bing, Edge browser and the Microsoft 365 software suite. The updated AI software will be rolled out with the latest changes to Windows 11 on September 26. It will then be available in Microsoft 365 Copilot for purchase on November 1, offering an enterprise AI tool that has been highly anticipated.
Microsoft had previously released a preview version of 365 Copilot earlier this year and in July, they announced that the features would cost customers $30 per user per month, in addition to their existing subscriptions.
In addition to the AI assistant, Microsoft's Bing search engine will also receive OpenAI's DALL-E 3, an image-generating AI. This move demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to incorporating generative AI technology across a wide range of its products and services.
The announcement of the unified AI assistant and new Surface devices follows months of anticipation. Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, is focusing on the growth of generative AI, which involves computer programs capable of generating text, images, sounds and other data.
Alongside the AI assistant, Microsoft has also unveiled three new laptops: the Surface Laptop Go 3, Surface Laptop Studio 2 and Surface Go 4 For Business. Additionally, they introduced the Surface Hub 3, an updated version of their interactive whiteboard.
These product launches come shortly after the departure of Panos Panay, Microsoft's longtime product chief, who has been succeeded by Yusuf Mehdi, the head of consumer marketing. Mehdi will now oversee the Surface and Windows businesses, working closely with external PC makers and retail partners.
Microsoft's aggressive push into AI is likely to keep its Big Tech peers, such as Alphabet and Apple, on their toes as customers eagerly embrace the new services powered by generative AI.
Microsoft has announced a unified AI assistant, Copilot, for its Windows 11 platform.
The AI tool will work across Microsoft's web and productivity applications.
The updated AI software will be available on Windows 11 from September 26.
Source: REUTERS