Microsoft’s Upcoming Digital Event: A New Era of Work with a Focus on ai
Microsoft has recently announced that it will be hosting a digital event titled “New Era of Work” on March 21, 2023. During this event, the tech giant is expected to unveil special upgrades to its product offerings, with a key focus on ai technology.
Anticipated New Announcements from Microsoft
While the company has kept the details of the event under wraps, rumors suggest that two new additions to Microsoft’s Surface device lineups will be unveiled: the Surface Pro 10 and the Surface Laptop 6. These new devices are believed to be optimized for ai applications, leveraging the latest advancements in processor technology.
A Dual Processor Option for Surface Devices
Reports indicate that users will have the option to choose between Intel Core processors and Qualcomm Snapdragon-based ARM chips for their new Surface devices. The Intel versions are predicted to launch first, in April 2023, with the Qualcomm-powered models following in June. Microsoft is rumored to brand these devices as “ai PCs,” signaling its entry into the specialized personal computer market designed for running ai applications.
The Power of Software: Microsoft’s ai-Powered Features
What truly sets these devices apart as “ai PCs” is the software that accompanies them. Microsoft is reportedly introducing a suite of ai-powered features alongside the new Surface lineup, which are expected to be rolled out later in 2024 with a Windows 11 update. This update, versioned as 24H2, will reportedly include an ai feature for Copilot called “ai Explorer.”
Revisiting Past Activities with ai Explorer
Per reports, the ai feature in Windows 11 will allow users to search for previously opened activities on their PC using natural language. Users can simply ask questions such as “show me that thing about dinosaurs,” and the ai tool will return past actions related to or involving the keyword “dinosaur.” This functionality works across any application, enabling users to search for previously opened conversations, documents, web pages, and images.
Microsoft Joins the ai PC Market
The official launch event is still a few weeks away, but Microsoft’s move into ai PCs signifies a significant shift in the PC market. With the growing demand for ai-powered devices, Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 represent an exciting development in this sector.
Lenovo, the largest PC maker, reported a surge in demand for ai PCs earlier this year amidst the broader growth and traction of the ai industry. According to Cryptopolitan’s report in February, Lenovo’s shipments for ai PCs could reach 50 million units this year (source). Microsoft’s entry into the ai PC market is a strategic move to tap into this growing demand and establish its presence in this emerging sector.
