Get ready for a sneak peek at Microsoft’s future plans for AI in both hardware and software. The company announced a special event scheduled for May 20th, 2024, just before their annual developer conference, Build 2024.
CEO Satya Nadella will be unveiling Microsoft’s “AI vision” during this media-only event, focusing on upcoming Surface devices and Windows updates that leverage artificial intelligence functionalities. While a separate business-oriented Surface event is happening this week, sources reveal the May event will showcase consumer versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6.
These consumer devices will be powered by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon X Elite processors, boasting dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) hardware to accelerate AI tasks within Windows 11. Additionally, Microsoft is developing a new “AI Explorer” feature for Windows 11, envisioned as a searchable timeline for your PC activities. Reports suggest it will catalog everything you do on your PC, similar to the previously removed Timeline feature in Windows 10.
This exclusive event marks the kickoff for “the year of the AI PC,” according to Microsoft. Their partners, including chipmakers AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, are gearing up to supply processors for this significant Windows AI push. However, details on when Windows will fully harness the capabilities of these new chips and laptops remain under wraps.
The May 20th event will also delve into other aspects of Microsoft’s AI initiatives, including Copilot. Recently, Microsoft launched the $20 per month Copilot Pro subscription globally, granting access to the latest OpenAI models within Microsoft Office applications.
Build 2024, taking place both virtually and in-person in Seattle from May 21st to 22nd, promises further updates on “AI, Copilots, and more.”
