Microsoft has introduced a significant change to its keypad for the first time in nearly thirty years, incorporating an artificial intelligence button into its Windows laptops.
The executive vice president of Microsoft, Yusuf Mehdi, revealed that this new button, named the Copilot key, will serve as the gateway to the company’s AI chatbot. Mehdi emphasized that Microsoft perceives this addition as a pivotal entry point to the realm of AI on personal computers.
Mehdi expressed his belief that this innovation will simplify users’ engagement with AI technology, stating, “We think it will make it easier for people to take part in the AI conversion.”
The integration of AI into Microsoft’s ecosystem is facilitated through Copilot, which was initially unveiled in March last year. This feature is compatible with popular Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, all of which are part of the Microsoft 365 suite. Users can now conveniently access Copilot by using the keyboard shortcut Windows + C.
By introducing this additional key, Mehdi envisions a future where AI seamlessly permeates Windows, spanning from the operating system to the hardware infrastructure.
Mehdi anticipates that this advancement will position the year 2024 as the era of the AI-powered PC, enhancing and streamlining computing experiences, particularly for women.
The Copilot key functionality will be present on select new PCs running Windows 11 starting this month, with potential inclusion in upcoming Surface devices.
While Microsoft has not disclosed the specific computer manufacturers implementing this feature, Dell Technologies has confirmed the inclusion of the Copilot key on their latest XPS devices.
In instances where Copilot is not enabled or available on a device, pressing the key will initiate Windows’ search function as a fallback option.
This modern addition to the keyboard layout is reminiscent of the traditional QWERTY design, originating in the 1870s, with the Copilot key positioned in close proximity to the space bar, featuring the distinctive Copilot emblem.
