Microsoft's AI Copilot Key marks major keyboard change after 30 years

For the uninitiated, Copilot is an AI feature and a brand under Microsoft. It consolidates all its AI-powered companions under this umbrella. Each Copilot is an embedded AI companion within Microsoft services, serving as a helpful assistant during work and creative tasks. 

The current array of Copilots is set to expand, with Microsoft's focus on developing specialized versions for its key applications.

Utilizing GPT-4 language model technology, it integrates with Bing Chat, offering features like Business Chat and seamless integration with Microsoft apps.

Microsoft weaving AI into the system, silicon & hardware

Marking the beginning of a period referred by Microsoft as the "year of the AI PC,” the introduction of the Copilot key is a step towards facilitating increased involvement in the ongoing transformation of technology driven by artificial intelligence.

“We’re also seeing incredible momentum from our silicon partners AMD, Intel and Qualcomm, all of whom have introduced their latest silicon innovations to the world that unlock new AI experiences on the Windows PC,” said Mehdi.

“Together, we’re putting new system architectures in place to power new Windows AI experiences bringing together the GPU, CPU, NPU, and the cloud,” added Mehdi.

2024 - The year of the AI PC

In the days leading up to and during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the "Copilot key" will be visible on various new Windows 11 PCs from Microsoft's ecosystem partners.

The Copilot key is expected to be featured on these devices starting in late February and continuing through the spring.

Additionally, the blog mentions that upcoming Surface devices will also include the Copilot key during this time frame.

As the year ended, Microsoft also announced that its upcoming Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 devices will feature Intel and ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, accompanied by advanced Neural Processing Units (NPUs) for enhanced artificial intelligence computing capabilities. 

The ARM-powered devices, known internally as 'CADMUS' PCs, are designed to seamlessly integrate with the next Windows version, codenamed 'Hudson Valley,' expected to launch in the first half of the coming year, reported Interesting Engineering.