Microsoft has recently announced a new AI assistant for Windows 11 called Copilot. Copilot is an AI tool that embodies Microsoft’s vision for the future of the Windows 11 operating system and is intended to be rolled out to all Windows 11 users later this year.
Copilot integrates generative AI directly into the Windows 11 operating system and will offer ‘centralized AI assistance’ in a desktop sidebar. This new feature will appear as a persistent sidebar on the Windows desktop once activated by users via a new taskbar button.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that he believes this new feature will make every user a power user of Windows. With the feature, Microsoft is bringing AI “to the biggest canvas of all.” In addition to asking questions and seeking information, similar to ChatGPT or Bing Chat, Microsoft says Windows Copilot will let users control and access Windows settings with natural language commands, and use AI to summarize and compose text across multiple apps.
Windows Copilot “stays consistent across your apps, programs, and windows, always available to act as your personal assistant,” says Panos Panay, Microsoft chief product officer. He said it will help users “take action, customize your settings, and seamlessly connect across your favorite apps.”
Windows Copilot will also offer Bing and ChatGPT plugins, giving third-party developers the ability to offer functionality via the AI sidebar. It’s part of a broader effort by Microsoft to incorporate AI into its products, through both its own homegrown technologies and its partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
In addition to a variety of AI-related developer tools and technologies, Microsoft has announced that Bing will become the default search engine for OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The company also said it will start using generative AI to offer summaries of app reviews in the Microsoft Store.
Windows Copilot will start to become available as a preview for Windows 11 in June. This exciting new development promises to bring a new level of functionality and convenience to Windows users.
