Microsoft has launched new software and PCs integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in an effort to compete with Google and Apple in the AI sector. CEO Satya Nadella introduced a new category of AI-focused personal computers called Copilot+PCs, which will offer enhanced performance compared to Apple’s high-end machines. Microsoft’s Surface line machines will be equipped with a special chip dedicated to AI processing, making them 58 percent faster than Apple’s devices, with prices starting at $1,000.
In addition to the new hardware, Microsoft also announced an updated version of GPT-4, developed by OpenAI, that is better at handling text, audio, and images in real-time. This updated model will be integrated into Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant.
During a recent event at Microsoft’s campus in Redmond, Washington, the company demonstrated a new feature called Recall, designed to help users locate hidden tabs, files, emails, or chats in the browser using conversational language cues. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s director of consumer marketing, described it as a “photographic memory.”
Microsoft’s goal is to show how generative AI can transform computing experiences for everyday consumers, not just corporate users. Although the company has integrated AI into its Bing search engine from the start, CEO Satya Nadella has expressed a desire to deliver more compelling consumer products faster. In a move to address this, Microsoft hired DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman to lead its consumer AI efforts.
The company has also introduced new features like live subtitles in Windows that can translate video content into English from 40 languages in real-time. Additionally, Microsoft is launching a new AI co-creation program that uses machine learning models to convert basic sketches into more detailed images.
Microsoft is supporting a new PC initiative from Intel and AMD, but the PCs launched by the company on Monday are powered by Qualcomm chips. This decision aims to boost Qualcomm’s position in the AI-enabled machine market, as the company believes its mobile phone technology is well-suited for the next generation of energy-intensive AI machines.
Overall, Microsoft’s latest advancements in AI technology and hardware demonstrate the company’s commitment to innovation and its aspirations to lead in the AI era, surpassing competitors such as Google and Apple. With a focus on delivering enhanced computing experiences for everyday consumers, Microsoft is pushing the boundaries of AI integration in its products and services.
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https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3263438/microsoft-unveils-ai-capable-windows-pcs-said-be-faster-apples-macbook-air