Microsoft has announced a groundbreaking addition to the Windows keyboard: the Copilot key. This change, the first major alteration to Windows keyboards in nearly three decades, is designed to provide users with direct access to Microsoft's AI-powered Windows Copilot experience. The introduction of the Copilot key marks a significant moment in Microsoft's vision for 2024 as "the year of the AI PC."
Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer, equated this innovation with the introduction of the Windows key around 30 years ago, saying, "We see this as another transformative moment in our journey with Windows where Copilot will be the entry point into the world of AI on the PC." The Copilot key will replace the menu key that was introduced alongside the Windows key and will be situated next to the right-hand alt key on most keyboards.
The function of the Copilot key is simple yet powerful: a single press launches the Windows Copilot built into Windows 11, which offers a ChatGPT-like chatbot capable of answering queries and performing actions within Windows. In regions where Windows Copilot isn't available, the key will instead launch Windows Search.
Microsoft has not disclosed which Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will incorporate the Copilot key, but announcements are expected at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show and beyond. It's anticipated that new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 models launching in the spring will also feature this dedicated Copilot key.
This innovation is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to integrate AI across its software and services. Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, has already woven AI into products like Microsoft 365 and Bing search and has rebranded Microsoft Edge as the "AI browser." The company is also reportedly working on a Windows "refresh" focused on new AI features, emphasizing a shift toward a more personal and intelligent computing future.
The AI key, similar to Apple's Siri button on Macbooks, will allow users to access Copilot, which aids in various functions like searching, writing emails, and creating images. Copilot is based on OpenAI's GPT-4 large language model, illustrating the deepening partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI.
As Microsoft continues to pave the way for AI in personal computing, the new Copilot key represents not just a functional addition to the keyboard but a symbol of the company's commitment to simplifying and amplifying user experience in the age of artificial intelligence. This strategic move aims to redefine user interaction with PCs, making AI a seamless and integral part of everyday computing.
