Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft is launching AI features for Copilot+ PCs broadly,
- Parts of a larger push to revamp Windows with AI,
- Features include improved search, automatic capturing of activity,
- Only available on Copilot+ PCs with neural processing units,
- Concerns over privacy and security issues have seen them become opt-in.
Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot+ Features Go Live
Despite experiencing several setbacks, Microsoft has now moved to offer its signature AI-driven features for the Copilot+ PCs. This initiative, introduced nearly a year ago, forms part of Microsoft’s grand plan to reshape Windows around the artificial intelligence concept.
Microsoft has earmarked the next month to deploy this update as part of the April 2025 Windows non-security preview update. This news comes from the company’s official announcement made on a recent Friday morning.
Redefining PC Interaction with AI
Recall, one of the primary features, is currently in its preview mode. It gives users the ability to scroll visually along a timeline showcasing past app, website, and document activity. Users can also employ natural language to hunt for specific content. This handy utility is however exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, a fresh breed of Windows devices armed with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to effectively execute AI models.
The update also enhances Windows search capabilities, easing the process of finding settings and files, even without recalling the exact names. Additionally, the upgrade introduces a preview of a new feature called ‘Click to Do’. This offers instant actions such as copying, summarizing, or editing content directly from the screen.
Delays and Privacy Concerns of Recall
The launch of the Recall feature initially stumbled amid rising security and privacy concerns. Security gurus waved red flags about this feature’s potential to spontaneously take screenshots in the background. Microsoft responded by modifying Recall into an opt-in feature and bolstered privacy controls.
The company ensures users that the data is stored and processed locally, without any transmission to the cloud or sharing with Microsoft.
Widening Access and Market Trends
Recall first saw the light of day in a preview made accessible to Windows Insiders back in November 2024. The current announcement signals the feature’s wider distribution to all Copilot+ PC users.
In terms of sales, during the 2024 holiday quarter, one in seven premium-priced notebooks sold in the US were Copilot+ PCs, based on figures from Microsoft. Looking ahead, the company expects to see the lion’s share of PC sales over the coming years shift towards the Copilot+ sector.
As Microsoft pioneers the exploration of AI integration with PCs, its market trends show an increasing appetite for these capabilities among consumers. Despite the initial hesitation and concerns around privacy, the tech giant has successfully imbued AI within the very fabric of operating systems, setting new trends for tomorrow’s technology.
