This week, Microsoft is launching a suite of artificial intelligence features that basically turns existing Windows 11 systems into full-blown “AI PCs” which are controlled by Copilot, the company’s AI assistant.
The Copilot features will be activated by saying the phrase “Hey, Copilot!,” acting as a sort of “third input mechanism to use with your PC,” said Mehdi.
This is supposed to pair with Copilot Actions, which allow the AI assistant to perform tasks on your local machine, like editing folders or looking stuff up.
For now, the Copilot features will be technically opt-in, but it’s more than possible that this will change in the future.
Remember when Microsoft tried to force everyone to use its last stab at a virtual assistant, Cortana, when Windows 10 came out?
Users are essentially forced to upgrade or pay more to continue receiving critical security updates for the operating system they currently own, as Microsoft has formally discontinued support for Windows 10. Windows 11 will produce mountains of e-waste as those outdated, fully functional PCs are replaced with new ones, despite the fact that its replacement cannot run on almost half a billion computers.
Things are getting worse, if that’s possible. A set of artificial intelligence features that Microsoft is introducing this week essentially transforms current Windows 11 systems into fully functional “AI PCs” that are managed by Copilot, the company’s AI assistant. It’s not that we’re being unkind; this is the exact way a Microsoft executive is explaining the update.
In a briefing with The Verge, Yusuf Mehdi, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Windows’ consumer division, stated, “We believe we’re on the cusp of the next evolution, where AI happens not just in that chatbot and gets naturally integrated into the hundreds of millions of experiences that people use every day.”. “We envision rewriting the entire operating system to be centered around AI and creating what will be the true AI piece.”.
You’ll understand that the timing of the AI updates isn’t a coincidence if that sounds like a nightmare to you. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 users are being forced to walk the plank in order to fall into an unavoidable AI pit, where they are expected to give up and allow the technology to take over their user experience.
Copilot’s placement in the center of the Windows taskbar, which is arguably the most valuable area on a user’s screen, is the most noticeable change. This design embodies Microsoft’s goal of making AI a key component of the user experience.
The willingness of users to converse with their computers—that is, to speak aloud—is essential to this revolutionary change. A sort of “third input mechanism to use with your PC,” the Copilot features can be accessed by saying “Hey, Copilot!” according to Mehdi. In the past, the company has not benefited greatly from adding another input mechanism. ).
Although the reasoning behind the voice controls seems dubious, Mehdi claims that data supports it, indicating that users spend billions of minutes conversing in Microsoft Team meetings, proving that they are accustomed to using computers for communication.
Additionally, the AI will be able to see everything that occurs on your screen thanks to a feature called Copilot Vision, which will enable it to provide context-based advice and suggestions. This should work in tandem with Copilot Actions, which let the AI assistant do things on your computer, such as searching for information or editing folders.
Mehdi stated, “The PC should be able to act on your behalf.”.
Naturally, this calls for giving up a startling amount of access to the AI, with your consent, of course. Additionally, there is evidence that this will be difficult to sell. Microsoft’s Recall feature, which was powered by AI and continuously took screenshots of your desktop, was widely criticized for having glaring security flaws, such as storing your Social Security number in an unencrypted folder.
Although the Copilot features are currently technically opt-in, this could change in the future. When Windows 10 was released, Microsoft attempted to compel everyone to use Cortana, their final attempt at a virtual assistant, which included voice controls and a number of privacy issues. It will obviously be different this time.
