Microsoft is changing its PC keyboards for the first time in three decades – with a new key dedicated to its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant.
Almost anyone who uses a computer will be familiar with the ubiquitous Windows-style keyboard – unless you’ve been raised exclusively on Macs – including the Windows button, which made its debut almost 30 years ago.
It appears the new addition will sit on the opposite side of the keyboard, possibly replacing the right-hand ctrl button, and when pressed will fire up Microsoft’s new AI Copilot.
Writing in a blog post, Microsoft consumer chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi said: ‘In this new year, we will be ushering in a significant shift toward a more personal and intelligent computing future where AI will be seamlessly woven into Windows from the system, to the silicon, to the hardware.
‘This will not only simplify people’s computing experience but also amplify it, making 2024 the year of the AI PC.’
The Copilot key will be introduced on Windows 11 PCs from this year, enabling users to quickly access the AI assistant, which can be used to help with productivity tasks such as organising files and windows on a user’s screen and carrying out more useful internet searches.
Microsoft is positioning itself as a leading player in the increasingly competitive field of AI. It is an investor in OpenAI, the firm behind chatbot sensation ChatGPT, which powers Copilot. Products in the Microsoft stable offering AI capabilities include Bing search and Microsoft 365.
Mr Mehdi added that the Copilot key would ‘empower people to participate in the AI transformation more easily’.
‘Over the last year, we have been at the forefront of this shift, innovating and improving our product experiences with Copilot, your everyday AI companion, at the centre,’ he said.
‘The Copilot key joins the Windows key as a core part of the PC keyboard and when pressed, the new key will invoke the Copilot in Windows experience to make it seamless to engage Copilot in your day to day.’
For computers that do not have Copilot capabilities, or users not logged into a Microsoft account, the key will launch Windows Search.
Mr Mehdi confirmed that the first devices housing the new key would begin to appear ahead of and during CES, the technology trade show taking place in Las Vegas next week, and would go on sale from late February.
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