AI-Integrated PC, For the third time in roughly a week, a major tech company has showcased its near-term plans for the future of generative artificial intelligence. This time, it’s Microsoft’s turn.
Kicking Off the Build Developer Conference
The company kicked off its Build developer conference on Tuesday in Seattle, aiming to demonstrate how the Windows operating system will make AI-integrated computers the new standard.
The three-day event follows CEO Satya Nadella’s proclamation that 2024 would be the year AI becomes a “first-class part of every PC.” Build is the platform where the company plans to elaborate on this vision.
Pre-Conference Keynote Presentation
Ahead of the conference, Microsoft revealed a glimpse of its AI advancements in a keynote presentation on Monday. This presentation highlighted the capabilities of upcoming AI-enhanced machines and the systems that will leverage these advancements.
Renewed Interest in the AI-Integrated PC Sector
The potential for AI integration into PCs and laptops has reignited analyst and investor interest in the personal PC sector, which had seen a slowdown in recent years. Gartner projects that shipments of AI-focused PCs will double this year and again in 2025, reaching up to 43% of the overall PC market by the end of next year.
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Recent AI Announcements
Build comes on the heels of Google unveiling its most powerful AI system to date at the Google I/O conference, and OpenAI’s event on May 13, where it introduced ChatGPT-4o. Here’s a look at what Microsoft has announced and what to expect as it advances its AI initiatives.
Introduction of New Hardware
In his keynote address, Satya Nadella introduced a wave of new hardware, including AI-focused PCs termed CoPilot+ PCs. Describing them as “the fastest, most AI-ready Windows PC ever built,” Nadella projected sales of 50 million units by year-end, through various manufacturers.
Microsoft claims these systems are 58% faster than the MacBook Air M3 and will incorporate the latest OpenAI GPT model (ChatGPT-4o) onboard. The new PCs will feature chips from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, and boast a battery life of up to a day.
Demonstrations of AI Capabilities
One demo showcased a person playing Minecraft with Copilot observing the onscreen action, offering suggestions, and guiding the player through crafting materials. Nadella emphasized the goal of building computers that understand users, predicting a breakthrough in computing where machines anticipate user needs.
Pricing and Availability
Prices for the new AI-integrated PCs will start at $999, according to Microsoft.
Enhanced Features of Copilot Chatbot
A standout feature of the AI-focused Copilot on these systems is Recall—a reminder functionality designed to replace the need for multiple browser tabs or self-emails. Recall serves as a photographic memory for the PC, retrieving previously accessed information. The new Copilot will also provide tips for Xbox games on PC.
Creative Tools with Cocreator
The Cocreator function in Copilot will analyze user photos, suggest compositions, and restore older images to higher resolutions. It can also generate AI-driven images on request and enhance user-created art using an electronic pen.
Advanced Audio and Language Capabilities
Copilot will offer instant captions for any audio from the PC, translating 40 different languages in real time and providing live captioning in the user’s native language. This feature extends beyond Microsoft Teams to any video-calling or entertainment app.
Financial Incentives for AI Integration
Microsoft’s close partnership with OpenAI underscores its commitment to integrating AI, with financial incentives driving this push. To access Copilot features, consumers will need to upgrade to the new AI-ready PCs, which require four times the operational power of current systems. This upgrade will boost both software sales for Microsoft and hardware sales for PC manufacturers.
How to Watch the Build Conference
Interested in catching all the innovations at the Build conference? Microsoft will stream the sessions on its Developer YouTube channel starting at 11:30 a.m. ET, and on the Microsoft Build website (registration required).