Microsoft Launches New AI Upgrades to Windows 11, Boosting Copilot
Microsoft on Thursday rolled out a series of AI upgrades for Windows 11 that will make its Copilot AI assistant more appealing to users, making it easier to automate tasks and connect to services across devices.
Microsoft said users can now use the wake word “Hey Copilot” to activate the AI assistant and execute voice commands in a new engagement feature on any Windows 11 PC.
The company is also expanding Copilot Vision, which can analyze content on users’ screens and answer relevant questions, to all markets where Copilot is available.
Microsoft also said it will launch a feature for Windows Insiders that will allow users to interact with Vision through text, not just voice.
The company is racing to increase adoption and use of Copilot to better compete with tech giants Google and Meta, which are pushing their own AI assistants through features on devices, apps and browsers.
The Microsoft update also includes an experimental ‘Co-Pilot Actions’ mode that allows the AI assistant to perform real-world tasks for users from the desktop, such as making restaurant reservations or ordering groceries.
The tool expands on a similar capability first announced for the web browser in May.
Microsoft said agents will start with limited permissions and only gain access to resources that the user has explicitly provided.
The company on Thursday also launched Xbox Ally consoles with ‘Gaming Copilot’ embedded, allowing gamers to interact with the AI assistant for real-time tips, advice and support.
“We think we’re on the cusp of the next evolution, where AI is not just in the chatbot but naturally integrated into the hundreds of millions of experiences people use every day,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s chief consumer marketing officer. he said.
