In a historic shift, Microsoft is unveiling a revolutionary update to the Windows keyboard, introducing the AI Copilot key, set to be featured on devices hitting the market this month. Positioned adjacent to the space bar, this marks the first alteration to the Windows keyboard layout since the incorporation of the Windows/Start key back in 1994, underscoring Microsoft’s unwavering dedication to advancing artificial intelligence (AI). Hardware partners are poised to showcase Windows 11 computers equipped with the Copilot key at the CES technology conference, with the expectation that it will eventually become a mandatory feature.
This innovative shortcut, strategically placed for accessibility, aims to empower users in tasks such as image creation, email composition, and text summarization, harnessing the capabilities of AI. Microsoft’s consumer chief marketing officer, Yusuf Mehdi, emphasized the seamless integration of AI into every facet of Windows, spanning from the system to the silicon to the hardware, in a blog post heralding this transformative change.
Mehdi envisions 2024 as the “year of the AI PC,” aligning with the industry trend of smartphone manufacturers highlighting their latest models as “AI phones.” Unlike mere marketing labels, Microsoft has substantiated this vision by dedicating the past year to overhauling major products around AI technology, capable of generating fresh content from vast datasets. Windows, Office, Bing search, security software, and various customer and finance products have all undergone significant transformations, heavily leveraging the advanced GPT-4 technology developed by OpenAI—a venture that Microsoft has invested a staggering $13 billion in.
Despite Microsoft’s bold foray into AI services, device makers are yet to witness a substantial boost in sales, as the Copilot features are rolled out to both new and existing devices. Mehdi’s commitment to integrating AI into the very fabric of hardware and silicon signals a potential future where consumers may face increasing pressure to upgrade, driven by Microsoft’s continuous evolution and enhancement of its AI offerings.