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The concept of a "AI PC" has been promoted by Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm, AMD, and Intel for several months now as we approach additional AI-powered capabilities in Windows. While we're still waiting on Microsoft to reveal the specifics of its ambitious plans for artificial intelligence in Windows, Intel has begun disclosing Microsoft's criteria to OEMs looking to develop AI PCs. One of the most important requirements is that the AI PC must have Microsoft's Copilot key.

For its vision of an AI PC, Microsoft wants its OEM partners to supply both hardware and software. This includes access to Copilot, the newest CPUs and GPUs, and a system equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Additionally, it must have the updated Copilot key that Microsoft revealed earlier in the year.




Because of this requirement, certain laptops—such as Asus' recently released ROG Zephyrus—have already been supplied with Intel's new Core Ultra CPUs and, according to Microsoft's stringent regulations, aren't actually AI PCs because they need a Copilot key. However, Intel still considers them to be AI PCs. What OEMs will receive in exchange for following Microsoft's own definition of an AI PC is still unknown, though. When I contacted Microsoft to inquire about its needs, they said they were not yet talking about their intentions for AI PCs. Microsoft did add the AI PC branding to its most recent Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 business devices earlier this month, however it's unclear if laptop stickers or extra marketing funds for OEMs would be included.




In addition to the AI PC specifications, Intel is growing the AI PC acceleration initiative it introduced in October. Its goal is to pique the interest of software developers in AI-powered features for their applications. Now, with the help of an AI PC developer program, it is reaching smaller developers as well. With an emphasis on developers, perhaps a lot more apps will make use of this new NPU hardware. There aren't many apps that do this right now; Microsoft's Windows Studio Effects is the major application that uses the NPU in Windows to blur backdrops during video conversations while maintaining eye contact.




This week, Google made a huge U-turn and released an improved version of Chrome for Windows on Arm, which will significantly enhance the experience for Chrome users on Windows laptops with Qualcomm processors. Additionally, there are rumors that Microsoft will only use Arm for the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 consumer models. On May 20, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will present the company's strategy for AI hardware and software at an event titled "AI and Surface."

The role of the Copilot Key in Microsoft's AI Powered Future




The concept of a "AI PC" has been promoted by Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm, AMD, and Intel for several months now as we approach additional AI-powered capabilities in Windows. While we're still waiting on Microsoft to reveal the specifics of its ambitious plans for artificial intelligence in Windows, Intel has begun disclosing Microsoft's criteria to OEMs looking to develop AI PCs. One of the most important requirements is that the AI PC must have Microsoft's Copilot key.

For its vision of an AI PC, Microsoft wants its OEM partners to supply both hardware and software. This includes access to Copilot, the newest CPUs and GPUs, and a system equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Additionally, it must have the updated Copilot key that Microsoft revealed earlier in the year.




Because of this requirement, certain laptops—such as Asus' recently released ROG Zephyrus—have already been supplied with Intel's new Core Ultra CPUs and, according to Microsoft's stringent regulations, aren't actually AI PCs because they need a Copilot key. However, Intel still considers them to be AI PCs. What OEMs will receive in exchange for following Microsoft's own definition of an AI PC is still unknown, though. When I contacted Microsoft to inquire about its needs, they said they were not yet talking about their intentions for AI PCs. Microsoft did add the AI PC branding to its most recent Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 business devices earlier this month, however it's unclear if laptop stickers or extra marketing funds for OEMs would be included.




In addition to the AI PC specifications, Intel is growing the AI PC acceleration initiative it introduced in October. Its goal is to pique the interest of software developers in AI-powered features for their applications. Now, with the help of an AI PC developer program, it is reaching smaller developers as well. With an emphasis on developers, perhaps a lot more apps will make use of this new NPU hardware. There aren't many apps that do this right now; Microsoft's Windows Studio Effects is the major application that uses the NPU in Windows to blur backdrops during video conversations while maintaining eye contact.




This week, Google made a huge U-turn and released an improved version of Chrome for Windows on Arm, which will significantly enhance the experience for Chrome users on Windows laptops with Qualcomm processors. Additionally, there are rumors that Microsoft will only use Arm for the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 consumer models. On May 20, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will present the company's strategy for AI hardware and software at an event titled "AI and Surface."

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