Microsoft Aims to Showcase the Power of Copilot

Microsoft unveiled two new Surface devices and a range of accessories during a virtual event today, with the initial focus on the deeper integration of its AI Copilot into Windows. While the event had a hardware-centric approach, it was also sprinkled with enterprise software discussions. This reflects Microsoft's current direction: every hardware announcement now emphasizes the Copilot feature, even at traditionally straightforward showcases.

The narrative surrounding Copilot predominantly revisited updates already introduced, featuring customer testimonials and claims about enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity through features like summarizing meetings they missed and documents they didn’t review.

“Windows 11 and Windows 365 herald a new era of AI-driven productivity,” stated Melissa Grant, Microsoft’s senior director for Windows Enterprise. “We aim to empower employees to work more efficiently and creatively, maximizing their productive time.”

So, how does Microsoft plan to achieve this? By introducing a toggle feature within the Copilot experience on Windows 11, allowing users to switch seamlessly between “Work” and “Web.” The Work button provides access to Copilot’s Microsoft 365 features and the internal data it uses, as part of Microsoft’s strategy to make Copilot accessible to a broad audience. After all, Windows is designed to “deliver technology that guides you toward becoming an AI-centered organization,” according to Grant.

Microsoft is also banking on cloud PCs via Windows 365 as a key platform for the Copilot experience. The app to connect to these cloud PCs—alongside Azure Virtual Desktop and Remote Desktop—is aptly named the Windows app. Microsoft reports that the usage of the Windows app has surpassed 3 million active hours since its preview at Microsoft Ignite 2023 in November. While this figure sounds impressive, it could be achieved by just 3,000 to 4,000 users fully engaged with cloud PCs during their work hours. Early adopters of this technology include Vodafone and Zurich Insurance Group.

Furthermore, Microsoft noted that Copilot can now assist with basic IT functions directly through the chat interface, or at least help navigate to the relevant settings. Additionally, users can now resize their Windows 365 cloud PCs.

And that’s a wrap! Don’t forget to hit that Copilot button to subscribe.