Windows 11’s AI future impressed me immensely.
Windows 11's AI future impressed me immensely.
Windows Copilot: AI Integration Takes Center Stage in Windows 11
Image source: Jacob Roach / ENBLE
I get it, the constant buzz around AI can be overwhelming. From ChatGPT to Bing Chat, everywhere you turn, there’s news about AI. And now, Microsoft wants to make AI an integral part of Windows 11. Initially, I was skeptical, but when I discovered Windows Copilot, I was blown away.
Let’s clear the air first – Windows Copilot is essentially Bing Chat on your desktop. Microsoft itself admitted that it utilizes the same AI chatbot as the one in Edge. But what makes it unique is how it’s seamlessly integrated into the Windows operating system.
One of the standout features of Copilot is its ability to work with your clipboard. With Copilot open, it continually monitors your clipboard for copied text. For instance, you can copy a list of tourist attractions near a venue, and Copilot will prompt you with options on what you’d like to do with that text. During a demonstration, Microsoft copied a list of tourist spots and asked Copilot to create a table ranking them by distance. And the AI not only remembered a previous version of the demo but also calculated walking distance instead of by car. Impressive, right?
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Copilot’s functionality. Apart from the clipboard, you can drag and drop any photo directly into Copilot. Yes, any photo! So, if you stumble upon a picture of a delicious dish and wonder how to make it, just drop it into Copilot. It will not only identify the dish but also generate a list of recipes for you. This even works with Windows 11’s Snipping Tool, allowing you to grab a photo from anywhere on your screen and Copilot will automatically recognize it.
During a demonstration, Microsoft showcased Copilot’s prowess in solving geometry problems. They used the Snipping Tool to capture an image of a triangle and asked Copilot to calculate the angles. Not only did Copilot perform the calculation flawlessly, but it also explained the underlying math and provided links to YouTube explanations. All of this happened right on your desktop!
It’s important to note that Copilot functions based on the context you provide. Despite its deep integration with Windows, you still have control over the prompts. This creates a natural extension of the operating system, unlike previous AI tools like ChatGPT and Bing Chat.
Copilot’s integration with Windows extends beyond these cherry-picked prompts. If you encounter any issues with your PC, you can seek assistance from Copilot, which will direct you to the relevant troubleshooters built into Windows. Unlike internet searches, Copilot leverages its understanding of the operating system to provide accurate solutions and guidance.
Furthermore, Copilot remembers you. It maintains a chat history that augments the context of your interactions. Similar to Bing Chat, but covering all your interactions instead of a single conversation. It’s not far-fetched to imagine it remembering your preferences, such as avoiding highways or favoring baked recipes over fried ones. Copilot demolishes the barriers often associated with Bing Chat.
However, despite its promising features, it’s important to approach Copilot with some reservation. As someone who had an unhinged interaction with Bing Chat, I’m well aware that there might be potential pitfalls with Copilot too. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to find out, as Copilot is set to launch as a feature update to Windows 11 on September 26th.
Windows Copilot represents a significant leap in AI integration within an operating system. From its contextual awareness to its seamless interaction with the clipboard and various applications, Copilot offers a glimpse into a future where AI genuinely enhances our computing experiences. So, if you’re tired of all the AI hype, give Copilot a chance – it might just surprise you.
Image source: Jacob Roach / ENBLE
Image source: Jacob Roach / ENBLE
Image source: Jacob Roach / ENBLE
