What might Microsoft announce at its 50th anniversary Copilot event?

On the eve of Microsoft’s 50th birthday, they are hosting a special gathering on their campus to share updates about their consumer AI initiatives. This event, referred to as the “Copilot event,” may involve unveiling new projects or advancements in this field. However, the specific details about what the Copilot event will entail remain to be seen.

The firm has been secretive regarding its April 4 announcement details, effectively managing to limit leaks. However, this doesn’t prevent us from making educated guesses as to what Microsoft could potentially unveil, correct?

On April 4th, whatever significant news Microsoft plans to share, they have invited a select group of media representatives to be present. Thus, considering this, here’s what I anticipate (or rather, wish for) Microsoft might announce on that day.

More Copilot+ features?

I’m really hoping that Copilot+ will have a chance to participate in this event, as it seems fitting since Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and I believe Windows should be included in some way. Microsoft has labeled this event as the “Copilot” event, and it seems reasonable to consider Copilot+ as part of that broader category.

As a devoted fan, I’m excited about the exciting new experiences Microsoft unveiled last year as part of Copilot+: Windows Recall, Click To Do, and AI-enhanced Search. However, since most of these haven’t been released yet, I’m eagerly waiting to hear any updates about their progress on April 4.

I’m eagerly anticipating that Microsoft will take some time to reveal novel Copilot+ experiences. Currently, the unique features of Copilot+ PCs, which are supposed to set them apart from AI PCs and even regular Windows 11 PCs, haven’t made a significant impact yet. Therefore, Microsoft needs to make some substantial changes in this area.

It’s been reported that Microsoft is developing “proactive” Copilot features for Windows 11. The idea is to seamlessly blend Copilot throughout the Windows interface, enabling it to offer helpful tips and actions according to what you’re currently working on or viewing.

It’s possible that Microsoft might reintroduce a project they previously announced at their Copilot+ event last year, which was expected to launch by the end of 2024. However, since then, not much has been heard about this project, so its potential unveiling on April 4 wouldn’t come as a complete shock.

The innovative Copilot features significantly stand out, marking the initial instance where AI is seamlessly incorporated into the Windows user experience for enhancing productivity. Essentially, Copilot will suggest actions within areas such as context menus, notifications, and even the Start menu, all tailored to your ongoing workflow.

I’ve consistently held the view that AI performs optimally when it operates independently, without the need for initial user interaction. The forthcoming ‘Copilot’ experiences are set to demonstrate this, offering a level of proactiveness comparable to what Apple has envisioned on the Mac with Apple Intelligence.

Microsoft demonstrated a feature where they can live-stream your desktop to Copilot, allowing it to observe your activities in real-time and offer helpful tips and assistance accordingly. To clarify, while the demonstration involved Minecraft, this capability is intended for use with any application once it’s fully developed.

I’m curious if the sophisticated Copilot features Microsoft unveiled last year aren’t simply empty promises, but rather are planned for release in 2023. Perhaps April 4th could serve as an opportune time to rekindle interest in these cutting-edge Copilot experiences.

First look at Copilot for TVs?

In January, Samsung and LG declared that their TV models would imminently support Copilot, yet didn’t demonstrate its functionality. Since Microsoft has scheduled a Copilot event for April 4th, it is quite possible they may provide a sneak peek of what it looks like during this event.

Because how else will they fill an hour?

NotebookLM-like features for Copilot?

For some time, there have been rumors about Microsoft developing a fresh Copilot feature. This feature would enable users to feed it various data sources, resulting in an AI assistant having a database to pull information from.

From my understanding, I’ve uncovered information suggesting a resemblance to Google’s NotebookLM. Unfortunately, as of now, Microsoft lacks a comparable solution that’s garnered the same level of popularity that NotebookLM has seen in recent times.

Microsoft’s own AI models for Copilot?

It’s common knowledge, yet also unofficial, that Microsoft has been secretly developing its own Language Learning Models (LLMs) to reduce its dependence on OpenAI. While there’s no certainty about when this project will be completed, April 4 could potentially serve as a suitable date for Microsoft to reveal that work on it is underway, at the very least.

As a tech enthusiast, I find it intriguing that Sam Altman hasn’t hinted about his attendance at this upcoming event, which could imply OpenAI may not be involved. In contrast to previous Copilot events, where his presence was announced, this time around, it seems different. Consequently, my speculation leans towards the possibility that this event might be something new.

That is, unless Microsoft is keeping him as a surprise, for some reason.

New Surface hardware?

It appears quite logical and likely to many, including myself, that Microsoft would unveil new Surface hardware as part of their 50th anniversary, especially if this hardware boasts compatibility with the Copilot+ feature.

Unfortunately, I’ve been informed by a reliable source that the planned launch of the new, compact Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices this spring has been delayed. Microsoft is still moving forward with the project, but we won’t see it until at least a month from now.

But don’t worry — we already know pretty much everything about this next wave of hardware.

A look at the future of computing?

Since it’s Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, I can’t help but feel excited about the possibilities of what they might reveal for the future of computing and artificial intelligence over the next 50 years.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m speculating that although Microsoft might not be prepared to unveil Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) just yet, they could seize this moment to demonstrate their vision for a genuine “AI Operating System” – a system engineered from the ground up, with Copilot serving as the maestro, orchestrating all your tasks.

For some time, there have been rumors about a project within the company, dubbed the “conversational shell.” This concept appears to represent a significant overhaul of the traditional desktop interface, driven by artificial intelligence interactions.

Satya Nadella has hinted at the belief that AI could drastically alter the nature of operating system interfaces, and it seems this endeavor with a conversational shell aims to put that concept into practice.

Information about this project is not extensive yet, but I’ve heard that it deviates significantly from the current Windows user interface. A large part of the interaction revolves around engaging with a tool called Copilot to initiate workflows and accomplish tasks.

The vision positions Copilot as an integral part of all your tasks, evolving into a personal assistant with a keen understanding of context and your identity. Essentially, the operating system acts as this AI assistant, adept at delivering applications and documents according to your needs.

In addition to other features, it’s been mentioned that Microsoft is experimenting with a tool called Copilot. With this feature, the assistant could perform tasks within apps on your behalf. Interestingly, Honor has previously announced a similar functionality for their smartphones, as reported by Wired.

If Microsoft reveals their project on this conversational user interface, it might not come as a shock if they decide to label it “Copilot OS,” considering the unique and progressive nature of its experience in contrast to Windows 11.

It’s uncertain if the announcement about the project will happen on April 4th, but it might turn out to be a venture that remains hidden from view. Still, it’s enjoyable to imagine its possibilities.

Given the circumstances, it seems fitting that such a demonstration would be most effectively presented at Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration. This alignment with Copilot and Windows makes perfect sense, and moreover, it provides an excellent platform to herald the commencement of the next half-century in computing technology.

Of course, it’s just my opinion. So, here’s the question: What do you believe Microsoft will unveil on April 4th? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

2025-04-03 17:16