Microsoft values the role of artificial intelligence (AI) so highly that Copilot could potentially replace the Start button in the next Windows version. The company’s CEO, Satya Nadella, believes Copilot offers a more efficient means of interacting with the operating system compared to the traditional list of apps. He expressed this during a video conversation with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.
The Copilot as an Organizer
Nadella equated Copilot to the Start button, describing it as an organizer for all user interactions with applications. He envisioned a scenario where a user logs in and simply expresses their intent. Copilot would then guide them to the correct application or even handle the application’s functions, enabling tasks like learning, querying, and content creation. This could potentially revolutionize user habits and enhance the overall experience.
Driving AI Development with Qualcomm
Nadella made this statement while discussing the prospects of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor. Microsoft and Qualcomm had been working closely to harness the full potential of this chip and encourage the development of software that can leverage modern neural processing units (NPUs).
Microsoft’s substantial investment in AI revolves around Copilot, which operates within both the Windows OS and applications. Nadella sees this as a significant step toward a new generation of AI-powered computers, necessitating a fresh system architecture to integrate these evolving experiences seamlessly.
Perhaps, Nadella hinted at the upcoming iteration of Windows, presumably Windows 12. While details remain scarce, it’s clear that the future OS will feature high modularity and deep integration with Microsoft’s AI technologies, notes NIX Solutions.
Nadella envisions a future where users won’t request AI to open specific apps but will simply express broader intentions like “edit a photo” or “get help with financial planning.” Copilot can serve as both an application launcher and a problem-solving tool. As for whether it will eventually replace the iconic Windows Start button, only time will reveal the answer.